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BOHN'S 
H^ISTD-BOOK 

OP 

WASHINGTON. 

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH 

STEEL ENGRAVINQS 

OF ALL THE 

^Public 33uitoiniis anO tjje €fobernment Statuarg. 

PREPARED BY CHARLES LANMAN, Esq. 



WASHINGTON: 
PUBLISHED BY CASIMIR BOHN. 

SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. 
1856. 






Entered, according to fhe Act of Congress, in the year eighteen 
hundred and fifty-six, by CASIMIR BOHN, in the Clerk's 
Office of the District Court of the United States for the District 
of Columbia. 



4-0 



^1 






CONTENTS 



PAGK. 

The Seat of Government 5 

The Capitol 12 

The Executive Mansion 31 

The Executive Departments : 

Department of State 35 

Treasury Department 37 

"War Department 38 

Navy Department 39 

Department of the Interior 39 

Post Office Department 41 

Office of the Attorney General 42 

The National Observatory 42 

The Washington Arsenal 46 

The Navy Yard 50 

The Smithsonian Institution 54 

The Washington ]\Ionument 56 

The National Medical College 58 

The Columbian 'College 62 

The Military Asylum 63 

The Coast Survey Office 64 

The National Cemetery'' 67 

The City Hall , 69 

The Public Schools 70 

Mr. Force's Library 70 

3 



IV CONTENTS. 

The National Institute U 

The Churches of Washington 12 

The Fine Arts in Washington T3 

Associations and Societies H 

Washington Hotels T6 

Official Salaries 77 

Oflficial Receptions 78 

The Markets of Washington 80 

The Climate of Washington 81 

Specific Duties of Executive Officers 82 

Georgetown 103 

Georgetown College 104 

Academy of Visitation 106 

The Female Semiuarj 107 

The Aqueduct 108 

The Georgetown Cemetery 109 

The Little Falls 110 

The Great Falls 110 

Arlington House 112 

Alexandria 114 

Mount Vernon 116 

Bladensburg 120 



iaiiJ>-§floli d lliisljiitgtflit. 



THE SEAT OP GOVERNMENT. 

The object of this little volume is simply to 
supply Strangers, who may visit the National 
Metropolis on business or pleasure, with all the 
information of a local character, calculated to be 
of service to them. But before proceeding with 
details, it will be proper to give the leading facts 
connected with the establishment of the present 
Seat of the General Government. The idea of 
locating it on the Potomac was originally sug- 
gested by General George Washington, after long 
and mature deliberation, and the Act of Congress, 
which created the territory of the District of Co- 
lumbia, was passed on the 16th of July, 1790 ; — 
in the Senate by a vote of 14 to 12, and in the 
House of Representatives of 32 to 29. The law 
provided, however, that the Government should 
not be removed from Philadelphia to "Washington 
until the year 1800, and that the intervening 
1* 



6 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

time should be employed, under the direction of 
Commissioners appointed for the purpose, in pre- 
paring suitable buildings at the latter point for 
the accommodation of Congress, and of the Presi- 
dent, and for the Public Offices. The quantity of 
land set aside for National purposes was one hun- 
dred square miles, forming a square of ten miles, 
and spaning the Potomac River at the head of 
ship navigation : and the States which ceded to 
the Nation the necessary portions of their domain 
were Maryland and Virginia. The corner-stone 
of the District of Columbia was laid at Jones' 
Point, near Alexandria, on the 15th April, 1791, 
by Daniel Carroll and David Stuart, with all the 
Masonic ceremonies usual at that time ; and the 
corner-stone of the Capitol was laid, with similar 
honors, by General Washington, on the 18th 
September, 1793. Tlie design of the city was 
executed by Major L'Enfant, under the direction 
of Washington him.self; and the streets were 
chiefly laid out by A. Ellicott, and two gentlemen 
by the name of King. The limits of the city 
extend from north-west to south-east, about four 
miles and a half, and from east to south-west 
about two miles and a half. The streets, which 
vary from seventy to one hundred and ten feet in 
width, run from north to south, and from east to 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 7 

west, crossing each other at right angles, with 
the exception of fifteen noble avenues, which point 
to that number of States, which were the first to 
enter the Union. The soil of Washington City 
and surrounding country is generally of a light 
clay or sand, and is cultivated at considerable ex- 
pense ; and while bilious and intermittent fevers 
prevail in certain localities in the fall of the year, 
as a general thing the place is as free from epi- 
demical diseases as any other in the country. Laid 
out as the city was, on an extensive scale, there 
is always a free circulation of wholesome air, and 
the best of water is to be found in all directions. 
The climate, for many years past, has been be- 
coming gradually more moderate and salubrious 
than it was in the olden times, and upon the 
whole may be pronounced as agreeable and healthy 
as that of any other section of the United States. 
The circumference of the city according to Mr. 
Wallerston is 14 miles, the aggregate length of 
streets 199 miles, and of the avenues 65 miles. 
The avenues, 'streets, and open spaces, contain 
3,604 acres; and the public reservations, 10, 11 
and 12, since disposed offer private purposes, 513 
acres. The whole area of the squares of the city 
amounts to 181,684,176 square feet, or 3,016 
acres; one-half of which, 1,508 acres, was re- 



8 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

served for the use of the United States, and the 
remaining half assigned to the original proprietors ; 
1,536 acres belonged to the United States. 

A more beautiful site for a city could hardly 
be obtained. From a point where the Potomac, 
at a distance of 295 miles from the ocean, and 
flowing from north-west to south-east, expands to 
the width of a mile, it extends back upon a level 
plain, hemmed in by a series of gradually slop- 
ing hills terminating with the heights of George- 
town ; the ]3lain being nearly three miles in length, 
from east to west, and varying from a quarter 
of a mile to two miles in breadth. It is bounded 
on the east by the Eastern Branch of the Potomac, 
where are now the navy-yard and congressional 
cemetery, and on the west by the Rock Creek^ 
which separates it from Georgetown. The small 
stream from the north, over which the railroad 
bridge now passes, on entering the City, emptied 
into a bay or inlet of the Potomac about 400 feet 
wide, which jutted in from the west, to within a 
quarter of a mile of Capitol Hill, and nearly 
divided the plain. Not far from the head of this, 
and south of Capitol Hill, a small stream 
took its rise in a large number of springs, and 
emptied into the river, at a place now called 
Greenleafs Point, formed by the intersection of 



HAND-BOOK 01 WASHINGTON. 9 

the Eastern Branch with the Potomac, and was 
known as James Creek. There is a stream above 
Georgetown which has always been called Goose 
Creek; but, from a certificate of a survey now 
preserved in the mayor's office, at Washington, 
dated 1663, it appears that the inlet from the 
Potomac was then known by the name of Tiber, 
and probably the stream from the north emptying 
into it bore the same name ; so that Moore did 
injustice to the history of the place, and confound- 
ed streams, when he wrote the well-known line ; 

''And Trliat was Goose Creek once, is Tiber now." 

By the same survey, it appears that the land, 
comprising Capitol Hill, was called Home, or 
Room, two names which seemed to have fore- 
shadowed the destiny of the place, Mr. Force, 
of Washington, suggests that they probably origi- 
nated in the fact that the name of the owner of 
the estate was Pope, and, in selecting a name for 
his plantation, he fancied the title of " Pope of 
Rome."* 

The Commissioners reported that the public 
buildings would be ready for the reception of the 
government in the summer of 1800. Accord- 

* Joseph B. Yarnum. 



10 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTOX. 

ingly, the Executive were, in the month of June 
in that year, removed from Washington to Phila- 
delphia, and Congress commenced its session there 
on the third Monday of November following. 
On this occasion in his opening speech, President 
Adams said; — "I congratulate the people of the 
United States on the assembling of Congress at 
the permanent seat of their government ; and I 
congratulate you, gentlemen, on the prospect of 
a residence not to be exchanged. It would be 
unbecoming the representatives of this nation to 
assemble for the first time in this solemn temple 
without looking up to the Supreme Euler of the 
universe, and imploring his blessing. It is with 
you, gentlemen, to consider whether the local 
powers over the District of Columbia, vested by 
the Constitution in the Congress of the United 
States, shall be immediately exercised. If, in 
your opinion, this important trust ought now to 
be executed, you cannot fail, while performing it, 
to take into view the future probable situation of 
the territory, for the happiness of which you are 
about to provide. You will consider it as the 
capital of a great nation, advancing with unex- 
ampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth, 
and in population, and possessing within itself 
those resources, which, if not thrown away, or 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 11 

lamentably misdirected, will secure to it a long 
course of prosperity and self-government." 

The Senate in their reply said;— -"We meet 
you, sir, and the other branch of the national 
legislature, in the City which is honored by the 
name of our late hero and sage, the illustrious 
Washington, with sensations and emotions which 
exceed our power of description." 

The House of Kepresentatives in reply, said: 
— ' ' The final establishment of the seat of na- 
tional government, which has now taken place in 
the District of Columbia, is an event of no small 
importance in the political transactions of our 
country. Nor can we on this occasion omit to 
express a hope that the spirit which animated the 
great founder of this city, may descend to future 
generations ; and that the wisdom, magnanimity, 
and steadiness, which marked the events of his 
public life, may be imitated in all succeeding ages. 
A consideration of those powers which have been 
vested in Congress over the District of Columbia, 
will not escape our attention ; nor shall we forget 
that, in exercising those powers, a regard must 
be had to those events which will necessarily at- 
tend the capital of America." 



12 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

THE CAPITOL. 

As before intimated, the building of this edifice 
was commenced in the year 1793, with Mr. Hallet 
as architect, who was succeeded in that capacity 
by Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Hoban and Mr. Latrobe. 
During the Embargo and the accompanying war 
the work was suspended, and as the British sub- 
sequently demolished much of what had been 
accomplished by the above named gentlemen, the 
government in 1815 found it necessary to recon- 
struct the Capitol, when it was finished as it now 
stands, chiefly imder the superintendence of Mr. 
C. Bulfinch. It is situated on an area enclosed by 
an iron railing and including thirty acres. The 
building stands on the western portion of this plat, 
and is so elevated as to command a view of the 
entire City of Washington, including the heights 
of Georgetown, the windings of the Potomac and 
the City of Alexandria. 

The exterior exhibits a rusticated basement of 
the height of the first story, the two other stories 
are comprised in a Corinthian elevation of pilas- 
ters and columns ; these columns which are thirty 
feet in height form an advancing portico, on the 
east, one hundred and sixty feet in extent, the 
centre of which is crowned with a pediment of 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 13 

eighty feet span; while a receding loggia one 
hundred feet in extent, distinguishes the centre 
of the west front. The building is surrounded 
by a balustrade of stone and covered with a lofty 
dome in the centre and a flat dome on each wing. 
The dimensions of the building are length of 
front 352 feet 4 inches, depth of wings 121 feet 
6 inches, and height to the top of centre dome 
145 feet. The cost up to 1828, when it may be 
said to have been completed was nearly $1,800,- 
000. During the last session of Congress appro- 
priations were made for the further enlargement 
of the Capitol by the addition of two new wings 
of 238 by 140 feet each wing, and when these 
are completed, the whole Capitol, including the 
space between the wings and the main building 
will cover an area of four and one-third acres. 
The corner-stone of the extension was laid by 
President Fillmore on the 4th of July, 1851, 
with Masonic ceremonies, on which occasion the 
Hon. Daniel Webster delivered a brilliant oration. 
In further describing the Capitol we shall speak 
of its various leading features separately, and in 
the following order : — The Senate Chamber, the 
Hall of Representatives, the Kotundo, the Con- 
gressional Library, Chamber of the Supreme 
Court, together with the Capitol Grounds. 



14 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

And first as to the Senate Chamber. This is 
in the second story of the north wing, of a semi- 
circular form, seventy-five feet long, and forty- 
five high; a screen of Ionic columns, with capi- 
tols, support a gallery to the east, forming a 
loggia below — and a gallery of iron pillars and 
railings of a light structure, projects from the 
circular walls, and the dome ceilings are enriched 
with square caissons of stucco. The walls are 
partially covered with drapery, and columns of 
hi'eccia, or Potomac marble support the eastern 
gallery. The chamber upon the whole is a hand- 
some affair ; but it is now felt to be too small for 
the comfort of so large a body as that which 
annually convenes there, and the access to it is 
notoriously inconvenient. The only painting 
which adorns the Senate Chamber is a portrait of 
Washington. This branch of the National Leg- 
islature consists of sixty-two members. 

The Hall of Representatives is also of a semi- 
circular form, and of course much larger than 
the Senate Chamber. It is in the second story 
of the south wing, ninety-six feet long and sixty 
feet high. It is surrounded with twenty -four 
columns of the variegated Potomac marble, with 
Capitols of white Italian marble of the Corinthian 
order, and surmounting a base of freestone, and 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 15 

the dome of the Hall is painted in imitation of 
that of the Pantheon of Rome. From the cen- 
tre of the dome hangs a massive gilt chandelier, 
and high over the Speaker's chair, which is ele- 
vated and canopied, is placed the model of a 
colossal figure of Liberty supported by an eagle 
just ready to fly, the work of Italian artists named 
Causici and Valaperti, the last of whom is thought 
to have committed suicide soon after accomplish- 
ing this work. In front of the chair and im- 
mediately over the main entrance stands a statute 
in marble representing History recording the 
events of the nation. She is placed on a winged 
car, rolling around a globe, on which are delinea- 
ted the signs of the Zodiac, and the wheel of the 
car is the face of the clock of the Hall ; and this 
is also the work of a foreign artist named Franzoni. 
Two full length portraits, one of Washington 
and one of La Fayette, adorn the walls on either 
side of the chair, and in every direction are dis- 
played ample folds of crimson drapery. The 
galleries of this Hall are so extensive as nearly 
to encircle it, and the general arrangement of the 
room is such as to render the members and the 
audience as comfortable as possible. The number 
of Representatives is two hundred and thirty-four. 



16 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

And liere it occurs to us, we ought to mention 
a few of the regulations which appertain to the 
Senate Chamber and the Hall of Representatives 
during the sessions of Congress. The gentleman 
whose duty it is to preside in the former is the 
Vice-President of the United States; but the 
Speaker of the House is elected to that position 
from its own body, and serves during all the 
sessions of one Congress. The only persons, be- 
sides members, admitted to the floors of the two 
chambers, are the President and his Secretary, 
the Heads of the Departments and Bureaus, the 
Diplomatic Corps, all Grovernors of States, and 
all the ex-members of Congress, ex-Presidents 
and ex-Governors, &c. &c.; as a privilege how- 
ever, the members can in person convey any friend 
to a seat in the lobby of the Senate or House. 
The regular business hours in the legislative halls 
during the sittings of Congress, are from 12 to 
3 o'clock ; but when there is a pressure of busi- 
ness, towards the close of a session, it is customary 
to sit both day and night, — for many hours con- 
tinuously. Both houses of Congress are abun- 
dantly supplied with competent officers and clerks, 
under whose management all things usually go 
on like clock-work, and to any of whom every 
stranger may apply with perfect propriety for 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 17 

what information respecting tlie Capitol they may 

reasonably desire. 

The next interesting feature of the Capitol that 
we would describe is the Rotundo. It occupies 
the centre, and is ninety-six feet in diameter, and 
the same number of feet high. The dome is 
hemispherical and filled with large plain caissons ; 
the room in its circuit is divided into eight panels, 
intended for paintings, all of which are already 
filled; and stationed between these panels are 
four has relievos of historical subjects ; one re- 
presenting the Preservation of Captain Smith hy 
Pocahontas, one the Landing of the Pilgrims on 
Plymouth Roch, one the Conflict between Daniel 
Boone and the Indians, and the other Penn^s 
Treaty with the Indians. In addition to these 
specimens of sculpture are also displayed, encir- 
cled with floral wreaths, the heads of Columhus, 
Raleigh, La Sale, and Cabot; — all these produc- 
tions of the chisel being from the hands of Cau- 
sici and Capellano* Of the paintings four are 
by Col. John Trumbull, one by Weir, one by Van- 
derlyn, one by Chapman, and one by Poicell. 
The subjects of Trumbull's pictures are first, the 

* In niches on the outside of the east door are also two 
statues of colossal size representing Peace and War, from 
the chisel of Persioo. 
2« 



18 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

^^Declaration of Independence,''^ the essential ob- 
ject of which was to preserve the portraits of the 
men who were the authors of that Declaration. 
As Col. Trumbull was one of the aids of General 
Washington in the Kevolutionary War, he had 
the best of opportunities for obtaining the por- 
traits from the living men, and the consequence 
is that we have authentic likenesses in this picture 
of the following personages : 



1. — George Wythe, Virginia. 

2. — William Whipple, New Hampshire. 

3. — Josiah Bartlett, New Hampshire. 

4. — Benjamin Harrison, Virginia. 

5, — Thomas Lynch, South Carolina. 

6. — Richard Henry Lee, Virginia. 

T. — Samuel Adams, Massachusetts. 

8. — George Clinton, New York. 

9. — William Paca, Maryland. 
10. — Samuel Chase, Maryland. 
11, — Lewis Morris, New York. 
12. — William Floyd, New York. 
13. — Arthur Middleton, South Carolina. 
14, — Thomas Hayward, South Carolina. 
15. — Charles Carroll, Maryland. 
16. — George Walton, Georgia. 
17. — Robert Morris, Pennsylvania. 
18. — Thomas Willing, Pennsylvania. 
19, — Benjamin Rush, Pennsylvania. 
20. — Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts. 



HAND-BOOK OF WASIIINaXON. 19 

21. — Robert Treat Payne, Massachusetts. 
22. — Abraham Clark, New Jersey. 
23. — Stephen Plopkins, Rhode Island. 
24.— WiJliam Ellery, Rhode Island. 
25. — George Clymer, Pennsylvania. 
26. — William Hooper, North Carolina. 
27. — Joseph Hewes, North Carolina. 
28. — James Wilson, Pennsylvania. 
29. — Francis Ilopkinson, New Jersey. 
30. — John Adams, Massachusetts. 
31. — Roger Sherman, Connecticut. 
32. — Robert R. Livingston, New York. 
33. — Thomas Jefferson, Virginia. 
34. — Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania. 
35. — Richard Stockton, New Jersey. 
36. — Francis Lewis, New York. 
37. — John Witherspoon, New Jersey. 
38. — Samuel Huntington, Connecticut. 
39. — William Williams, Connecticut. 
40. — Oliver Wolcott, Connecticut. 
41. — John Hancock, Massachusetts. 
42. — Charles Thompson, Pennsylvania. 
43. — George Reed, Delaware. 
44. — John Dickinson, Delaware. 
45. — Edward Rutledge, South Carolina. 
46. — Thomas, McKean, Pennsylvania. 
4*7. — Philip Livingston, New York. 

The second of Trumbull's pictures represents 
the ''Surrender of General Burgoyne.^^ To the 
intelligent spectator it will tell its own story, and 
we shall therefore content ourselves with simply 



20 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

giving the names of those distinguished officers 
whose portraits appear upon this canvas, which 
are as follows : 

1. — Major Lithgow, Massachusetts. 

2. — Colonel Cilly, New Hampshire. 

3. — General Starke, New Hampshire. 

4. — Captain Seymour, Conn., of Sheldon's horse. 

5. — Major Hull, Massachusetts. 

6. — Colonel Greaton, Massachusetts. 

Y. — Major Dearborn, New Hampshire. 

8. — Colonel Scammell, New Hampshire. 

9. — Colonel Lewis, Q. M. G., New York. 
10. — Major-General Philips, British. 
11. — Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, British. 
12. — General Baron Reidesel, German. 
13. — Col. Wilkinson, Deputy Adj't General, American. 
14. — General Gates. 

15. — Colonel Prescott, Massachusetts Volunteer. 
16. — Colonel Morgan, Virginia Rifleman. 
lY, — Brigadier-General Rufus Putnam, Massachusetts. 
18. — Lt. Col. John Brooks, late Governor of Mass. 
19. — Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, Chaplain, Rhode Island. 
20. — Major Robert Troup, Aid-de-Camp, New York. 
21. — Major Haskell, Massachusetts. 
22. — Major Armstrong, Aid-de-Camp, now General. 
23. — Major-General Philip Schuyler, Albany. 
24. — Brigadier-General Glover, Massachusetts. 
25. — Brigadier-Gen. Whipple, New Hampshire Militia. 
26. — Major Matthew Clarkson, Aid-de-Camp, New York. 
27. — Major Ebenezer Stevens, Massachusetts, Command- 
ing the Artillery. 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 21 

The third of the Revolutionary paintings re- 
presents the ''Surrender of the British Army^ 
commanded hy Lord CornwalUs, at Yorhtown, in 
Virginia.^' This picture contains the portraits 
of the principal officers of America, France and 
England, and their names are as follows : 

1. — Count Deuxponts, Colonel of French Infantry. 

2. — Duke de Laval Montmorency, Colonel of French 
Infantry, 

3. — Count Custlne, Colonel of French Infantry. 

4. — Duke de Lauzun, Colonel of Cavalry, French. 

5. — General Choizy. 

6. — Viscount Viomenil. 

T. — Marquis de St. Simon. 

8. — Count Fersen, Aid-de-Camp of Count Rochambeau. 

9. — Count Charles Damas, Aid-de-Camp of Count Eo- 

chambeau. 
10. — Marquis Chastellux. 
11. — Baron Viomenil. 
12. — Count de Barras, Admiral. 
13. — Count de Grasse, Admiral. 
14. — Count Rochambeau, Gen. en Chef des Francais. 
15. — General Lincoln. 

16. — Col. Ebenezer Stevens, of the American Artillery. 
11. — General Washington, Commander-in-Chief. 
18. — Thomas Nelson, Governor of Virginia. 
19. — Marquis La Fayette. 
20.— Baron Steuben. 

21. — Colonel Cobb, Aid-de-Camp to Gen. "Washington. 
22. — Colonel Trumbull^ Secretary to Gen. Washington, 



22 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

23. — Major-General James Clinton, New York. 

24. — General Gist, Maryland. 

25. — General Anthony Wayne, Pennsylvania. 

26.— 'General Hand, Adjutant General, Pennsylvania. 

21. — General Peter Muhlenberg, Pennsylvania. 

28. — ^Major-Gen. Henry Knox, Commander Artillery. 

29. — Lieut. Col. E. Huntington, Acting Aid-de-Camp of 

General Lincoln. 
30.— -Col. Timothy Pickering, Quarter Master General. 
31.— Col. Alexander Hamilton, Com'dg Light Infantry. 
32.-— Col. John Laurens, of South Carolina. 
33.— Col. Walter Stuart, of Philadelphia. 
34.— CoL Nicholas Fish, of New York. 

The fourtk and last of Trumbull's paintings 
represents the ' •Resignation of General Washing^ 
ton at Annapolis f^ and the following named por- 
traits are here collected : 

1.— Thos. Mifflin, Pa., President, Member of Congress. 

2. — -Charles Thompson, Pennsj^lvania, do. 

3. — Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts, do. 

4. — Hugh Williamson, N. Carolina, do. 

5. — -Samuel Osgood, Massachusetts, do. 

6. — Ed. McComb, Delaware, do. 

*r. — George Partridge, Massachusetts, do. 

8. — Edward Lloyd, Maryland, do. 

9. — R. D. Spaight, North Carolina, do. 

10.— Benjamin Hawking, N. Carolina, do. 

11.— A. Foster, New Hampshire, do. 

12.— Thomas Jefferson, Virginia, do. 

13. — Arthur Lee, Virginia, do. 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 23 

14. — David Howell, Rhode Island, Member of Congress. 

15. — James Munroe, Virginia, do, 

16. — Jacob Reid, South Carolina, do. 

IT. — James Madison, Virginia — (Spectator.) 

18. — William Ellery, Rhode Island, Member of Congress. 

19. — Jeremiah ToAvnley "Chase, Maryland, do. 

20. — S. Hardy, Virginia, do. 

21. — Charles Morris, Pennsylvania, do. 

22. — General Washington, do. 

23. — Col. Benjamin Walker, Aid-de-Camp. 

24. — Col. David Humphreys, do. 

25. — General Smallwood, Maryland, Spectator. 

26. — Gen. Otho H. Williams, Maryland, do. 

2'7. — Colonel Samuel Smith, Maryland, do. 

28. — Col. John E. Howard, Baltimore, Md,, do. 

29. — Charles Carroll and two daughters, Md., do. 

30. — Mrs. Washington and 3 grand childi'en, do. 

31. — Daniel, of St. Thomas Jenifer, Maryland, do. 

The subjects of the remaining pictures in the 
Rotundo are the ^ ' Einharcation of the Pilgi^ims 
from Leydeii,''^ by Weir, the "Landing of Colum- 
husj^ by Vanderlyn, the ''Baptism of Pocahon- 
tas,^'' by Chapman, and ''Discovery of the Missis- 
sijjj^i hy Be Soto,''^ by Powell. As these illustrate 
scenes connected with the very earliest history of 
our country, none but the leading figures are to 
be considered in the aspect of authentic portraits, 
and we therefore deem it unnecessary to particu- 
larize the various personages delineated. And as 



24 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

our object in this book is simply to give facts, it 
cannot be expected that we should play the part 
of a critic, and we shall therefore leave the spec- 
tator the rare privilege of forming his own opinion, 
not only of *the pictures, but of every thing else 
that we may describe. 

We now come to speak of the Congressional 
Library which was, before the fire of 1851, one 
of the chief attractions of the Capitol. The prin- 
cipal Room, of which there were three, faced the 
west, and was a large and handsome affair, nine- 
ty-two feet long, thirty-four wide and thirty-six 
high : divided into twelve alcoves, ornamented 
with fluted pilasters ; and in every direction were 
displayed portraits and busts, cases of medals and 
other interesting works of art. The number of 
volumes which it contained was about 50,000, and 
the Catalogue, which was arranged on the system 
of Lord Bacon, comprised the following table of 
chapters: Ancient History, Modem History, of 
all the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, and 
America, American Newspapers, Ecclesiastical 
History, Natural Philosophy; Agriculture, Chem- 
istry, Surgery, Medicine, Anatomy, Zoology, Bo- 
tany, Mineralogy and Conchology, Occupations 
of Man, Technical Arts, Ethics, Religion, Com- 
mon Law, Reports in every department of Learn- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 25 

ing and Legislation, Politics, Mathematics, As- 
tronomy, G-eography, Fine Arts, and all the 
Standards in Polite Literature, with many valua- 
ble Original Manuscripts. The original Library, 
which was collected under the direction of Mr. 
Gallatin and Mr, Mitchell, in 1800, was destroyed 
by fire during the last war, and that which lately 
enriched the Capitol, was founded upon one which 
was purchased by Congress, in 1814, of Thomas 
Jefierson, for $23,000.* So much for the past. 
We would now describe the Congressional Library 
as it is and will be when entirely completed. It 
will embrace, when the two wings of the Capitol 
are completed, the entire western projection of the 
present Capitol ; and while the main room is 91 
feet long, 34 wide, and 38 high, the second and 
third are each 29 feet wide by 70 long, and of the 
same height as the preceding. These rooms are 
all fitted up with iron cases, and iron ceilings, 
roofed with copper, laid on iron rafters, and lighted 
by ornamental sky lights. In addition to the 
above there are also two smaller rooms opening 
therefrom, which are employed by the Senators 
and Representatives as reading* and conversation 

*The yearly average increase is about 1,800 volumes. 
The sum of $5, 000 is annually appropriated by Congress 
for Miscellaneous Books, and $1,000 for Law Books. 
3 



26 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

rooms. Of the books in the old library, some 
20,000 were saved, while the special appropria- 
tions of Congress have been so liberal that a large 
part of the works destroyed, excepting the valua- 
ble manuscripts, have been replaced. The main 
library room, as it now appears, embraces the" 
space occupied by the old library before the fire. 
On both sides of the room are three stories of iron 
cases, each nine feet six inches in height. The 
lower story consists of alcoves projecting eight 
feet six inches into the room, with cases on each 
side of the projections. The second story has 
similar alcoves, excepting that their projection is 
but five feet, which bears a platform of three feet 
six inches in width, resting on the cases below, 
and which constitutes a commodious gallery. A 
similar platform is constructed on the alcoves of 
the second story, forming a gallery to approach 
the upper cases ; thus making three stories, re- 
ceding as they ascend. These galleries are con- 
tinued across the ends of the room, where they 
are supported by massive brackets. The alcoves 
are nine feet eight inches in width, with an orna- 
mented pier forming the head of each projection. 
The architraves which cross the alcoves are fin- 
ished with shields, crowning bands and orna- 
ments. The shields are designed as tablets to 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 27 

receive the names of the general subjects on which 
the book in the respective alcoves treat. The 
galleries are all floored with cast iron plates, and 
protected by pedestals and railings ; they are ap- 
proached by two semi-circular stairways of cast 
iron, recessed in the end walls of the room. The 
ceiling is wholly composed of iron ; it is suspended 
from strong iron trusses, which likewise constitute 
the support of the roof; it rests on twenty-four 
massy consoles, ornamented with foliage, fruits, 
and scrolls. Each of these consoles weighs nearly 
a ton. Their projection from the face of the walls 
is five feet six inches, their height five feet four 
inches, and their width twenty-one inches. The 
entire ceiling is divided into deeply sunken panels, 
and embellished with ornate mouldings and fo- 
liated pendants. The room is lighted, in addition 
to the five windows in the western front, by eight 
sky-lights, in the ceiling, each six feet square, 
filled in with ornamented glass, and protected by 
an upper sky-light of seventy-seven feet in length 
by ten feet six inches in width, placed on a cor- 
responding angle with the roof, and covered with 
thick plates of glass. The roof is covered with 
copper, secured by copper wire to the iron rafters. 
It is heated by hot water pipes. 

The affairs of the Library are indirectly in 



28 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

charge of a Library Committee^ consisting of mem- 
bers from the two houses of Congress, but the 
immediate superintendents are a Librarian and 
two assistants, viz : John S. Meehan, E, B. Stelle, 
and C. H. W. Meehan. The public in general 
are privileged to visit the Library and examine 
books on the spot, but members of Congress and 
the officers of the Executive Departments are all 
who enjoy the privilege of taking away any books 
that they may desire. The Library is open every 
day during the sessions of Congress, and during 
the recess on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 
of each week, from nine o'clock until three. 

The apartment for the accommodation of the 
Supreme Court is an ill-arranged, inconvenient 
and badly lighted room, in the basement under 
the Senate Chamber. It is semi-circular in shape, 
with manifold arches ; and on the wall is an em- 
blem of Justice, holding her scales, in bold relief, 
and also a figure of Fame crowned with the rising 
sun, and pointing to the Constitution of the 
United States, The members of the bar are ac- 
commodated with seats and desks in the body of 
the room ; and the Justices occupy a row of ele- 
vated seats, and appear in their official capacity 
clothed in black silk gowns or robes. The Bench 
of the Supreme Court, as it now stands, is com- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 29 

posed of the following gentlemen: — Roger B. 
Taney, Chief Justice, John McLean, James M. 
Wayne, John Catron, John McKinley, Peter Y. 
Daniel, Samuel Nelson, Benjamin R. Custis, 
Robert C. Grier: the Clerk of the Court and 
Deputy being William T. Carroll and D. M. Mid- 
dleton, and the Reporter, B. C. Howard. 

In addition to the apartments of the Capitol 
already specified, it should be mentioned that there 
are also a large number of ordinary, but well 
furnished rooms, which are occupied by the Vice- 
President, the Speaker of the House, and other 
Ofl&cers, by the Postmasters of Congress, the 
Public Documents, and the Committees of the 
two houses. 

In regard to the Capitol Grounds we have only 
to say, that they are not only extensive, but are 
kept in the very neatest order, constituting one 
of the very pleasantest and most- popular resorts 
for promenading to be found in the Metropolis. 
They command most charming prospects of the 
surrounding country, are adorned with a great 
variety of American trees, fountains and basins 
of pure water enliven them in various parts, and 
an air of superior refinement is given to them, 
by a number of pieces of statuary, the most at- 
tractive specimens being a Statue of Washington, 

3* 



30 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

by Greenougli, and a pair of Columbus and an 
Indian Woman, by Persico, with bis statues of 
Peace and War, the former occupying the centre 
of a square east of the Capitol, and the others 
appropriate places on the eastern portico. On 
this side of the Capitol, moreover, is to be seen the 
lately completed colossal group of Statuary, called 
Civilization, executed by the lamented Greenough. 
It was finished in 1851, and occupied the artist 
eight years, besides a delay of four years, occa- 
sioned by his not being able in all that time, to 
obtain a block of Serravezza Marble suitable to 
his purpose. It consists of four figures, a mother 
and child, an American Indian and the father. 
The object of this group is to illustrate a phase in 
the progress of American Civilization, viz : the 
unavoidable conflict between the Anglo-Saxon and 
aboriginal savage races. 

Near the Western entrance to the Capitol stands 
a Monument erected by the Officers of the Navy 
to the memory of their brother Oflicers, who fell 
in the War with Tripoli. It is of marble, rises 
out of a pool or basin of water, and is forty feet 
high. On one side of the baso is a view of 
Tripoli and the American Fleet; on another the 
words, **To the Memory of Sommers, Caldwell, 
Decatur, Wordsworth, Dorsey, Israel;" and on 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 31 

anotlier side, a brief but comprehensive history. 
At the base of the column are four marble emble- 
matic figures, Mercury, Fame, History, and 
America : the column has also appropriate embel- 
lishments, and is surmounted by an Eagle. 

But before leaving the Capitol it is proper that 
we should speak of it as it will appear after the 
wings now in course of erection shall have been 
completed. The dimensions of the two new 
wings are each 238 by 140 feet, so that when 
finished this national edifice will cover an area of 
about four acres, and will be, without exception, 
as it should be, the most splendid specimen of 
architecture in the United States. 



THE EXECUTIVE MANSION. 

The plan of this building was made by James 
Hoban, and the corner-stone was laid on the IStli 
of October, 1792 ; but having been partially de- 
stroyed during the last war, the same architect 
was employed to rebuild it in 1815. It is situated 
at the ' ' west end" of the city, at the intersection 
of Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and 
Vermont Avenues. It occupies the centre of a 
plat of ground containing twenty acres, and at 



32 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

an elevation of forty-four feet above the waterg 
of tlie Potomac. For several years past the 
grounds both in front and in the rear of the Presi- 
dent's House have been in a neglected condition, 
but under the management of competent persona 
the grounds lying south of the Mansion are being 
transformed into a magnificent park, which when 
completed, will afford a fine carriage drive of 
three or four miles, the Potomac at one end, and. 
the Capitol at the other ; the Smithsonian Insti- 
tute and the "Washington Monument being situa- 
ted in its midst. Besides this, the same persons 
are planning the improvement of La Fayette and 
Franklin Squares into fine pleasure grounds. 
In the centre of La Fayette Square has been 
placed Mr. Mills' colossal equestrian statue of 
General Jackson. 

The Mansion in question is 170 feet front and 
86 deep, is built of white freestone with Ionic 
pilasters comprehending two lofty stories of rooms, 
crowned with a stone balustrade. The north 
front is ornamented with a lofty portico, of four 
Ionic columns in front, and projecting with three 
columns. The outer inter-columniation is for 
carriages to drive under, and place company under 
shelter: the middle space is for those visitors 
who come on foot ; the steps from both leading to 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 83 

a broad platform in front of the door of entrance. 
The garden front is varied by having a rusticated 
basement story under the Ionic ordonnance, and 
by a semi-circular projecting colonnade of six 
columns, with two flights of steps leading from 
the ground to the level of the principal story. 

The interior arrangements of the Executive 
Mansion are of course elegant and convenient, 
well adapted to the various purposes for which 
the building was designed; and as the rooms, 
both public and private, are newly furnished with 
the coming in of every new Administration, we 
deem it unnecessary to trouble the reader with 
elaborate descriptions. All the public rooms may 
be examined by strangers at any time, but His 
Excellency the President can only be seen during 
those hours which he is pleased to designate. 
During the sessions of Congress the President 
usually has two reception evenings, on which 
occasions the public at large are privileged to pay 
him their respects and promenade the famous East 
Koom. In addition to this it is generally ex- 
pected of him that during each winter he will 
entertain at dinner all the members of both Houses 
of Congress and the Diplomatic Corps, so that 
official dinners, have to be given by him as often 
as twice a week. The grounds immediately 



64: HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

around the Mansion are quite beautiful in them- 
selves, but they present a particularly fine appear- 
ance during those summer afternoons when the 
citizens of "Washington assemble there by hundreds 
and thousands for the purpose of enjoying the 
music of the Marine Band and the pleasures of a 
fashionable promenade. 

In the centre of the small square immediately 
in front of the President's House, stands a bronze 
statue of Thomas Jefferson, executed by whom 
we know not, but presented to the Government 
by Capt. Levy of the United States Navy, the 
present proprietor of Monticello, the former abode 
of Mr. Jefferson. It is a handsome piece of 
statuary, and in its present position has quite a 
commanding appearance. A resolution of accep- 
tance however, was never passed by Congress, so 
that this statue may be considered as still the pri- 
vate property of Capt. Levy. Directly across 
Pennsylvania Avenue from the above mentioned 
square, is La Fayette Square, which, as before 
intimated, has recently been laid out in fashiona- 
ble style, and planted with new shrubbery. Mills' 
Equestrian Statue of General Jackson, occupies 
its centre, and is a work of superior merit. It is in 
bronze, and was cast from certain cannon captured 
by General Jackson in some of his military en- 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 35 

gagements. The cost of this statue was ^50,000, 
and a duplicate was ordered to be executed for 
the city of New Orleans, which commission has 
been duly executed by the successful artist. 



THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. 

The number of these is seven, and their official 
titles are as follows: the Department of State, 
the Treasury Department, the War Department, 
the Navy Department, Department of the Int^ior, 
the Post Office Department, and the office of the 
Attorney General. 

The State Department, which stands north- 
east of the President's House and within the same 
enclosure, is a plain brick building, two stories 
high, 160 feet long and 55 wide, with a broad 
passage on both floors, and containing in all 32 
rooms. It contains a handsome library of books, 
maps and charts, numbering perhaps some 15,- 
000 distinct works, which are indispensable in 
the performance of the extensive and varied duties 
of the department. In addition to this collection, 
the Copyright Bureau contains some 10 or 12,000 
volumes published in this country, which are kept 
with care as pai't and parcel of the archives of the 



36 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

Government. The total number of persons em- 
ployed in this Department consist of the Secretary, 
nineteen clerks, two messengers, and five watch- 
men. It is the department through which alone 
the diplomatic corps and all foreigners can hold 
any intercourse with the Government of the United 
States, and is of course the head-quarters of all 
the American Ministers and Consuls. And in 
this place it may be well to mention the countries 
which were represented in Washington at the 
commencement of the present year by accredited 
ministers, which were as follows : Russia, Argen- 
tine Republic, Spain, Chili, Mexico, Brazil, Great 
Britain, France, Portugal, Prussia, Denmark, 
Austria, Netherlands, the two Sicilies and Parma, 
Sardinia, Belgium, Chili and Peru. With regard 
to American Ministers and Consuls, it were enough 
to say, that they may be found scattered to the 
four corners of the earth, in every place where 
they would be likely to do good. In this depart- 
ment are deposited all our Treaties with foreign 
powers, the original of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the commissions given to General Wash- 
ington with many of his most interesting letters, 
and also one of the most complete files of news- 
papers to be found in the country, all of which 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 37 

may be examined by strangers, on application, 
during ojQ&ce liours. 

The Treasury Department stands at the east- 
ern extremity of the President's Square, (so 
called) and is a stone edifice, painted white, 340 
feet long and 170 wide, but when the northern 
and southern wings are added it will be 457 feet 
in length. In front is an imposing colonnade, 
stretching the entire length of the building, and 
the architect of the whole was Robert Mills. It 
has three floors upon which business is transacted, 
on each of which are nearly fifty apartments. 
This is the department where all the financial and 
commercial affairs of the country are attended to, 
and the amount of labor performed here at times 
is immense. The persons employed in this de- 
partment are the Secretary, one Assistant Secre- 
tary, two Comptrollers, six Auditors, two Trea- 
surers, one Register, one Solicitor, one Commis- 
sioner of Customs, about three hundred clerks, 
fifteen messengers, and twelve watchmen. A 
good legal library is attached to this department. 
An extensive addition to this already large build- 
ing is now in course of erection, and it is only to 
be regretted that such a costly and imposing 
building should not have attached to it appropri- 
ate grounds. 



88 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

The War Department building occupies the 
north-west corner of the President's Square, and 
is precisely eimilar in design to the State Depart- 
ment. It is the head-quarters of all the officers 
of the Ar?!!}^ and the main-spring of all the 
military movements. This department comprises 
in its economy the War Office proper, the Quar- 
termaster's Department, the Engineer's Depart- 
ment, Bureau of Topographical Engineers, Ord- 
nance Office, Subsistence Department, Pay De- 
partment, Medical Department, Office of Adjutant 
General and the head-quarters of the Major Gene- 
ral or military Commander-in-Chief of the Army. 
The number of persons employed in this depart- 
ment exclusive of the Secretary and Officers of 
the Army is as follows: — clerks, 92 ; messengers, 
10; and watchmen, 5. Besides the many ac- 
complished and distinguished officers connected 
with the departments already mentioned, are those 
also employed in the field, belonging to the 1st 
and 2d Ptegiments of Dragoons, to the Regiment 
of Mounted Piifiemen, to the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th 
Regiments of Artillery, and to the 8th Ptegiment 
of Infantry. The War Department is furnished 
with a valuable library of some 10,000 volumes, 
where may be seen, by the curious in such mat- 
ters, an interestin<2; collection of American medals 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINaTON. 39 

and a great number of war trophies from the 
battle fields of the Revolution, of the last war and 
of Mexico. 

The Naty Department building lies directly 
west of the President's House, and in the rear 
of the War Department. It has five Bureaus, 
exclusive of the Secretary's ofiice, viz : — Bureau 
of Navy Yards and Docks, Bureau of Construc- 
tion, Equipment and Repair; Bureau of Pro- 
visions and Clothing, Bureau of Ordnance and 
Hydrography, and Bureau of Medicine and Sur- 
gery. Besides the Secretary, the persons em- 
ployed in them, are forty-two clerks, and seven 
messengers. Scattered throughout this depart- 
ment are to be seen authentic portraits of many 
of our naval heroes, also a collection of medals 
struck to their honor at different times, together 
with a large collection of national flags and other 
trophies which have fallen from time to time into 
the possession of our commodores. 

The Department of the Interior, or Home 
Department is the most extensive connected with 
the Government. The building which it occupies 
is one of the most extensive and most interesting 
in the Metropolis. A portion of it is occupied by 
the Patent office, and also by the museum of the 
National Institute. The titles of the Bureaus 



40 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

connected with, tlie Interior Department are as 
follows: — Land ofiice, Patent office, Indian office 
and Pension office. Exclusive of tlie Secretary 
and the Heads of the Bureaus, the persons employ- 
ed are clerks, about one hundred and fifty, messen- 
gers and watchmen, about twenty-five. As its 
name indicates, this department has to do exclu- 
sively with ail those matters bearing upon the 
internal economy of the United States, and is of 
course increasing in importance with every suc- 
cessive year. A library of some five thousand 
volumes is attached to this Department. In the 
second story of the building now occupied by the 
Patent office are the invaluable relics of Wash- 
ington, including his camp chest, the original 
Declaration of Independence, the gifts presented 
from time to time to the Government by foreign 
powers, Franklin's printing press, a collection of 
Indian portraits by King, the treasures of the 
National Institute, interesting memorials of the 
late James Smithson, and the extensive and rare 
treasures secured by the U. S. Exploring Expe- 
dition under Capt. Wilkes, in almost every de- 
partment of national history and human ingenuity. 
Everything here is open to the inspection of the 
public, and the Hall is one of the most interest- 
ing for the stranger to visit^ to be found in the 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 41 

Metropolis. In tlie first story of the same build- 
ing are collected all the models of the machines 
which have been patented since the foundation of 
the Government. From the Patent office have 
emanated a number of interesting documents 
bearing directly upon the mechanical and agricul- 
tural interests of the country, and a large quantity 
of. seeds, domestic and foreign, are annually dis- 
tributed gratis to all persons who choose to profit 
by the liberality of the Government. 

One of the handsomest buildings in Washing- 
ton is that occupied by the Post Office Depart- 
ment. It was designed and built by Mr. Mills, 
of white marble and after the Corinthian order. 
It is three stories high, two hundred and four 
feet long, and one hundred and two deep : it con- 
tains twenty-seven rooms on each floor, making 
eighty-one in all. It occupies a central position 
in the city, near the Department of the Interior, 
both of which are about half a mile from the 
President's Square and the other departments. 
The employees are a Postmaster-General, three 
assistants, fifty clerks and six messengers. Con- 
nected v>^ith this department is the Dead Letter 
office which is an interesting place to visit. 
The number of unclaimed letters annually sent 

here is enormous. All the letters received are 
4* 



42 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON . 

opened by the clerks, and only read when found 
to contain money or other valuables, after which 
they are all consumed. 

The city Post Office is an unpretending build- 
ing adjoining the Greneral Post Office on seventh 
street. 

With regard to the Office of the Attorney 
General, which we have classed with the Exec- 
utive branches of the Government, we have only 
to say that it derives its chief attraction from 
the person who may occupy it, who must be of 
necessity, a man of distinguished ability. Rooms 
are assigned to him in the Treasury building, and 
it is to him that all knotty questions, in all the 
departments, are submitted for final settlement. 
Within a few years past the power to appoint all 
marshals and district attorneys has been transferred 
from the Department of State to this office. 



THE NATIONAL OBSERVATORY. 

The National Observatory is situated on the 
banks of the Potomac, in an oblique direction 
from the President's House, towards Georgetown. 
The site is a beautiful one, having a commanding 
■'iew of Washington and Georgetown, of the 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 43 

Potomac Eiver, and surrounding country, as far 
down as fort Washington, opposite to Mount 
Vernon. 

It is a Naval Institution under the control and 
management of Lieut, M. F. Maury, U. S. 
N. The force employed at it consists principally 
of Naval OiScers. 

Besides the Astronomical duties of the estab- 
lishment, here are kept all the nautical books, 
charts and instruments belonging to the Navy. 

The apartment in which the Chronometers are 
kept is a very interesting one. Before one of 
these instruments is purchased by Government^, 
it is required to be put on trial by the Superinten- 
dent of the Observatory, for one year ; during 
which period it is compared daily with the Great 
Astronomical Clock of the Observatory, which 
regulates the time for the whole City. The tem- 
perature of the room in which it is kept is also 
carefully observed, and recorded every day. The 
test is a severe one, and in case the instrument 
fails to come up to it, it is returned to the maker 
at the end of the year. 

The observations on the temperature in con- 
nexion with the performance of the Chronometer, 
enable the maker to improve the instrument, and 



44 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

on a second trial of another year it rarely fails 
to pass. 

There are from 60 to 100 Chronometers al- 
ways in this room, all of which are daily wound, 
and compared and treated in the manner described. 
Thus a complete and minute history is kept of 
each one. 

Here also are conducted the celebrated re- 
searches connected with the ' ' Wind and Current 
Charts ;" the habits of the Whale, and a variety 
of phenomena connected with the great deep. 

The National Observatory of Washington oc- 
cupies a high rank among the Observatories in 
the world, there being but one — that of Eussia 
— superior to it. 

The largest telescope, called the Equatorial, is 
a 14 feet Refractor, with an object glass of 9 
inches. It is mounted in the revolving dome on 
the top of the main building, and is so arranged 
with clock work and Machinery, that being di- 
rected to a star in the morning, it may be left 
alone, when on returning to it in the evening, it 
will have followed the path of the star so exactly, 
that it will be found still pointing to the star, and 
the star will be visible through it. With its 
powers the stars are visible at mid-day. 

In one room below are the Meridian and Mural 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTOX. 45 

Circles. In another, the Transit instrument ; in 
another, the Prime Vertical Instrument ; and in 
another yet, the Great Refraction Circle invented 
by the Superintendent. It was made by Ertel & 
Son, Munich, and taken altogether is, perhaps, 
one of the finest instruments any where to be 
found. Such is the delicacy of its construction, 
and such the accuracy of its adjustments, and the 
nicety of its performance, that the heat of the 
observer's person, as he approaches it to make an 
observation, is found to be one 6f its principal 
sources of error. 

But perhaps the most wonderful object at this 
interesting Establishment is the Electro-Chrono- 
graph, invented by Dr. Locke, of Cincinnati. 

It is in the room with the Transit Instrument, 
and is so arranged, by its connexion with an electri- 
cal battery in the building, that its ticks may be 
heard in any part of the country to which the 
magnetic wires lead, provided they be put in con- 
nexion with it. Thus it may be made of itself 
to record the time, and in such a manner, that 
the astronomer in Boston, New Orleans or else- 
wfiere will know it, and tell the time of day by 
this clock, as well as one who stands before it 
and reads the hands on its face. 

The Observatory regulates the time for Wash- 



40 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

ington and Georgetown bj the falling of a ball. 
At ten minutes before mean noon every day, a 
large black ball is hoisted to a flag staff, standing 
on the top of the dome. This is to give warning 
for those who wish to get the exact time of day 
to look out. Precisely at twelve, the ball drops. 
Thus the whole City is informed of the exact time. 

John Q. Adams, who was a devoted friend of 
the Observatory, and who used to visit it fre- 
quently in the last days of his life, has been known 
to walk all the way up to the Observatory from his 
lodgings, to see the ball fall. 

The Office hours at this Establishment are from 
9 A. M. to 3 P. M. — within those hours, visitors 
will always find an officer ready to receive them 
and to show them every attention that politeness 
can bestow. 



THE WASHINGTON ARSENAL. 

The Arsenal occupies a fine position on the 
extreme southern point of the City, (called Green- 
leaf's Point,) at the junction of the Eastern 
Branch with the Potomac, commanding a beau- 
tiful and extensive view, over a broad expanse 
of water, towards the Cities of Washington and 



HAND-BOOK OF WASKINGTON. 47 

Georgetown on the North and Alexandria on the 
South. The cljannels of both rivers running 
near the Arsenal shore, afford all requisite facili- 
ties for receiving and shipping Ordnance and 
other Military Stores. 

Although this site was originally reserved for 
the purpose of an Arsenal, it was not occupied 
by any building of importance until after the 
peace of 1814, when the building of the present 
establishment was commenced under the direc- 
tion of the late Col. George Bomford. From 
the small square embraced in the first plan the 
buildings have been gradually extended until 
they occupy nearly the whole reservation, and 
form one of the principal Arsenals of Construc- 
tion in the United States. 

The work-shops contain much useful and inge- 
nious Machinery, propelled by Steam, for manu- 
facturing Gun Carriages and Equipments for Ar- 
tillery, and for preparing ammunition of all kinds. 
Among these -may be noticed particularly the 
Machines for planing and boring iron and wood, 
those for tenoning and mortising the spokes and 
hubs of wheels. Blanchard's ingenious lathe for 
turning irregular forms in wood, such as spokes, 
axe handles, &c, , the machinery for making leaden 
Bullets by pressing them out of the bar lead 



48 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

instead of casting them ; and above all, the beau- 
tiful machine for making and charging Percussion 
Caps, for small arms, invented by Mr. George 
Wright, a workman at the Arsenal. By this last 
mentioned machine, a sheet of Copj^er being in- 
serted on one side and some percussion powder 
put in a hopper on the other, the finished Caps 
are produced without any further agency of the 
workman 

In the spacious Storehouses of the Arsenal are 
to be seen Arms and Equipments for the troops ; 
also a large number of Gun Carriages and other 
apparatus for the service of the Artillery in the 
forts and in the field, from the ponderous Colum- 
biad for the defence of the coast, to the little 
mountain howitzer, which may be transported, 
with its miniature smith's forge, on the back of a 
mule. 

The Model Office contains a collection of 
models or patterns of the various arms and military 
Equipments used in our Service, and also of such 
of those used in the Armies of other nations as 
have been obtained by the Ordnance Department. 
Here may also be seen some specimens of old and 
new inventions, repeating Arms, Revolvers, &c., 
which have been suggested, at home or abroad, 
by the organ of destructiveness. 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 49 

In the Gun lot are arranged many pieces of 
Ordnance and piles of Balls, mostly of heavy 
calibre for the armament of the forts. 

In front of the old Arsenal Square a small col- 
lection of foreign Brass Cannon will attract the 
notice of the visitor, who will perceive by the in- 
scriptions that some of them are trophies of the 
success of our Arms at Saratoga, Yorktown, 
Niagara, and Vera Cruz. The Guns and Car- 
riages of Duncan's Field Battery, which performed 
distinguished service on nearly every field of battle 
in the Mexican War, are likewise preserved at 
the Arsenal, as a saluting battery. 

On the West side of the Arsenal Grounds, near 
the river, are two pyramidal structures which 
often attract the curiosity of visitors and of persons 
passing by the Arsenal. These buildings contain 
an apparatus called a Ballistic Pendulum, which 
is used for testing the force of Gunpowder when 
fired in heavy Ordnance, and also for trying many 
other interesting .experiments in Gunnery. 



50 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

THE NAVY YARD. 

The Navy Yard is situated on the Eastern 
Brancli or " Anacostia," a branch of the Potomac 
river, at the southern termination of Eighth street, 
East. It was established in the year 1800, on the 
public reservation No. 14, to which Squares No. 
883 and 884 were subsequently added. Commo- 
dore Tingey was ordered to the command, and to 
him was assigned the duty of superintending the 
construction of the several vessels ordered to be 
built here, and also the general arrangement of 
the grounds, with a view to furnishing increased 
accommodation for the future construction and 
equipment of large Ships of War. 

The area covers about twenty acres, and is en- 
closed by a substantial brick wall, having a prin- 
cipal entrance at the foot of Eighth street, through 
a handsome arched gateway, designed by the late 
celebrated architect, Benjamin H. Latrobe, Esq. 

Several comfortable residences have been erect- 
ed for the accommodation of the Commodore, the 
Executive officer, the first Lieutenant, Surgeon, 
Sailing-master, Boatswain and Gunner, whose 
official duties require their constant attendance in 
the Yard. 

The mechanical operations of this Establish- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 51 

ment are various and extensive, and the skill of 
the workmen and the excellence of the materials 
employed have been satisfactorily tested in every 
sea. Anchors of all sizes, for the Naval service, 
are manufactured by the use of two heavy steam- 
hammers, (termed the "Nasmyth Hammer,") one 
of which weighs 3,600 pounds, the other 2,240 
pounds. The forges for this work are kept in 
blast by a fan blower attached to the steam engine 
in the Machinist's department. There is also in 
operation, in the Anchor department, a Direct 
Action Steam-hammer (called the "Kirk Ham- 
mer,") in connexion with a blast furnace for work- 
ing up, into blooms and bars, all the scrap iron 
of the Navy. The massive chain cables, are 
made in another Shop, which is provided with a 
powerful Hydrostatic Press for testing their 
strength. These cables are highly esteemed for 
their superior finish, great strength and durability. 
From sixty to eighty men are ordinarily employed 
in this department. 

Another department is engaged in the manu- 
facture of Galleys, Cabooses, and copper Powder- 
tanks, and of the various kinds of brass work 
appertaining to Ships of War, The different 
machines employed in making these articles, are 
driven by a Steam Engine of about fifteen horse 



§2 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

power. A Brass Foundry is connected with this 
range of buildings, on the eastern side of the 
Yard. 

A large and extensive Iron Foundry has re- 
cently been erected, of sufficient capacity and 
with the necessary facilities for moulding and cast- 
ing the heaviest work ; connected with this foundry 
are the machines for boring, turning and planing 
the Steam Cylinders and other massive machinery 
required for the Naval Service. Adjoining the 
Iron Foundry are the Ordnance and Boiler-mak- 
ing departments, which are provided with a Steam 
Engine of about twelve horse power. The Ord- 
nance department is engaged in the fabrication 
of light brass Ordnance, Howitzers for boat and 
land service, of Shot and Shells, Percussion Caps, 
Musket and Pistol Balls, &c. Some of this ma- 
chinery is very ingenious and highly interesting. 
The Boiler Shop contains all the machinery neces- 
sary for tiie construction of Boilers. 

Close by this range of buildings, is a very ex- 
tensive Machine Shop, in which are placed all 
the tools required in the manufacture of Steam 
Engines and machinery of every description. 
When completed it will afford room for the em- 
ployment of from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred workmen. Attached to this Shop is an 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 53 

engine of sixty liorse power, which also gives 
motion to the Blockmaking machinery and to the 
Fan-blowers of the Anchor-making department. 

On the Western side of the Yard is the Pyro- 
technical Laboratory, in which are prepared all 
the articles for the Navy appropriate to this de- 
partment. 

A Rolling Mill is also here which is furnished 
with an engine of two hundred horse power, to- 
gether with the necessary machinery for manufac- 
turing all the bolt, sheathing, brazier's and boiler 
copper for the use of the Navy ; also, a Rolling 
apparatus, &c., for working up the bloom iron, 
made by "Kirk's Faggoting Hammer," into bolts 
and bar iron 

There are two large Ship Houses, for building 
Ships, under one of which is about to be con- 
structed a Marine Railway for hauling up steam- 
ers, for repair. 

In the Yard there are ordinarily employed from 
four hundred to four hundred and fifty Mechanics 
and laborers, but since the keel of the frigate 
Minesota was laid the workmen employed in the 
yard have averaged about twelve hundred. The 
grounds are beautifully laid out ; the avenues 
shaded with fine trees; the plats neatly enclosed, 
and the whole preserved in handsome order. 
5* 



54 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 



THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 

This Institution was founded upon a bequest 
of more than half a million of dollars, made to 
the United States by an Englishman named James 
Smithson, a man of good family, and of sufficient 
learning to have published in the Transactions 
of the Royal Society and other Journals no less 
than twenty-four scientific treatises, the majority 
of which were on Mineral Chemistry. The object 
of the bequest, according to his will, was "To 
found at Washington, under the name of the 
Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the 
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 
On the 1st of July, 1836, Congress solemnly 
accepted this important trust, and the money was 
paid into the Treasury of the United States in 
1838. The Act of Congress establishing the 
Institution as it now exists, was passed in 1846. 
By this Act, the President, Vice President, all 
the Members of the Cabinet, the Chief Justice, 
the Commissioner of the Patent Office and the 
Mayor of Washington, during the time for which 
they should hold their offices, were made the per- 
sonnel of the Institution; and they are to be 
assisted by a Board of Regents, who were to be 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 55 

empoTvered to elect a Chancellor, a Secretary, 
and an Executive Committee. 

The Institution is situated on the Mall below 
the Capitol, and though the edifice is yet in an 
unfinished state, it presents a noble appearance, 
and is unquestionably one of the great attractions 
of the Metropolis. The style of the Architecture 
is the Romanesque, the material a reddish free- 
stone of fine grain, its extreme length is four 
hundred and fifty feet, its width one hundred and 
forty feet, and it has nine towers varying in height 
from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty feet. 
The grounds which surround it are very .extensive, 
and are now in progress of being beautified by 
Mr. Downing. 

The Secretary of the Institution is Professor 
Joseph Henry, who has the reputation of being 
one of the most accomplished scientific men of the 
age, and the property of the Institution and its 
general operations are in his charge, and among 
his assistants are several gentlemen of high scien- 
tific and literary acquirements. 

To describe minutely the interior economy of 
this important establishment is not our intention 
in this place. We can only say that its beneficial 
influence upon the world at large has already 
been felt ; it has already printed and circulated a 



56 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

number of valuable volumes, acquired collections 
in tlie way of natural history and scientific as well 
as general literature wliicli are very valuable and 
very interesting, and engaged distinguished men 
to deliver lectures. The great library room when 
completed will be capable of holding one hundred 
thousand volumes. The building is supplied with 
a lecture room, which will seat twelve hundred 
persons ; and its Museum, when completed, will 
be two hundred feet long, and filled with the 
wonders of nature and art from all parts of the 
world ; its rooms for Chemical experiments will 
be more spacious and convenient than any to be 
found in the country : and in the western wing 
which is one hundred and twenty feet long, wiU 
hereafter be located a gallery of Art. The col- 
lection of Indian pictures now on exhibition there 
is the property of Mr. Stanley the artist. 



THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. 

As this Structure is not yet finished, we will 
not describe it as it is, but as it will be when com- 
pleted, according to the design adopted by the 
Board of Managers. It stands on the Mall, be- 
tween the President's House and the Potomac, 



HAND-BOOK OP WASETINGTON. 57 

and embraces the idea of a grand circular colon- 
naded building two hundred and fifty feet in 
diameter, one hundred feet high, from which 
springs an obelisk shaft seventy feet in diameter 
at the base and five hundred feet high, making a 
total elevation of six hundred feet. 

The vast rotundo, forming the grand base of 
the Monument, will be surrounded by thirty col- 
umns of massive proportions, twelve feet in diam- 
eter and forty-five feet high, elevated upon a base 
of twenty feet in height and three hundred feet 
square, surmounted by an entablature twenty feet 
high, and crowned by a massive balustrade fifteen 
feet in height. The terrace outside the colonnade 
will be twenty-five feet wide, and the walk within 
the colonnade twenty-five feet. The front portico 
will be adorned with a triumphal car and Statue 
of the Illustrious Chief; and over each column 
around the entire building will be sculptured es- 
cutcheons, coats of arms of each State of the 
Union, surrounded by bronze civic wreaths, band- 
ed together by festoons of oak leaves, while the 
centre of the portico will be emblazoned with the 
coat of arms of the United States. Around the 
rotundo will be stationed statues of the Signers 
of the Declaration of Independence : in niches 
prepared for the purpose, statues of the Fathers 



58 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

of the Revolution contemporary witli Washington ; 
and directly opposite to the entrance will be placed 
a statue of Washington himself. The interior 
of the shaft will be embellished with a great va- 
riety of inscriptions ; at one point it will be orna- 
mented with four of the leading events of Wash- 
ington's career sculptured in basso relievo, above 
which will be placed a single star, emblematic of 
the glory which the name of Washington has at- 
tained ; and in the centre of the Monument will 
be placed the Tomb of the Father of his country. 



THE NATIONAL MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

The National Medical College, instituted in 
1823, is now in successful operation. It was 
until a few years past known as the medical de- 
partment of the Columbian College, from which 
institution it derives its authority to confer Degrees 
under an act of incorporation from the Congress 
of the United States. 

In assuming its present name it was newly or- 
ganized, and its facilities for instruction greatly 
extended. 

In addition to the usual advantages afforded for 
the prosecution of medical study within the insti- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 59 

tution, its location at the seat of the General 
Grovernment, offers collateral advantages not to be 
found elsewhere. The Library of Congress, the 
Library and Lectures of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion, together with the various scientific collections 
and the scientific departments connected with the 
Government are all (without charge) accessible to 
students. 

The Lecture rooms of the College are in tho 
building of the "Washington City Lifirmary, uniting 
the advantages (after the manner of most Euro- 
pean medical schools) of public lectures, within 
the Hospital building where clinical instruction 
may be secured without loss of time or comfort to 
the student. 

The edifice is conveniently situated in a central 
part of the city — equally distant from the Capitol 
and President's House — near the principal hotels 
and boarding houses — and at the same time se- 
cluded from the noise and bustle of business. 

Clinical lectures are given daily at the bed side 
of patients, where students have an opportunity 
of seeing disease not only correctly diagnosite, 
but of observing for themselves the results of 
therapeutic and dietetic treatment. The wards 
of the Hospital being well filled with patients, 
presenting any variety of disease both acute and 



60 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

clironic, furnish ample means for rendering this 
method very efficient and thorough. There is an 
Anatomical and Pathological Museum, containing 
a collection of preparations, models and drawings, 
to which the students have daily access, and which 
the Faculty are constantly enlarging. 

The advantages for the pursuit of Practical 
Anatomy are not surpassed by those of any other 
medical school. 

There are seven professorships which are all 
filled as follows : 

Thomas Miller, M. D., Professor of Anatomy 
and Physiology. 

William P. Johnston, M. D., Professor of Ob- 
stetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. 

Joshua Riley, M. D., Professor of Materia Me- 
dica, Therapeutics and Hygiene. 

Jno. Fred. May, M. D., Professor of the Prin- 
ciples and Practice of Surgery. 

Grafton Tyler, M. D., Professor of Pathology 
and Practice of Medicine. 

Robert King Stone, M. D., Professor of Mi- 
croscopical and Pathological Anatomy. 

Edward Foreman, M. D., Professor of Chemis- 
try and Pharmacy. 

James E. Morgan, M. D., Prosector and De- 
monstrator. 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 61 

The Lectures of this Institution commence on 
the first Monday of November annually, and con- 
tinue until March. 

The entire expense for a full course of Lec- 
tures^ by all the Professors, is . . .^95 
Practical Anatomy, by the Demonstrator, . 10 
Matriculating Fee, payable only once, . . 5 

Grraduating expenses, 25 

Good board can be procured at from two fifty 
to three dollars per week, and the Janitor will 
refer such students as may apply to him upon 
their arrival, to boarding houses of this description. 
The requisites for graduating are, that the can- 
didate shall have attended the lectures of each 
Professor two full courses, or one full course in 
this school, and one full course in some other re- 
spectable Institution. He must have a fair moral 
character, and he shall have dissected during at 
least one session. He shall have entered his name 
with the Dean of the Faculty as a candidate for 
graduation, and delivered to him an Inaugural 
Dissertation upon some medical subject, thirty 
days before the close of the session, and pass a 
satisfactory examination. 

All persons who have attended two full courses 
of lectures in this school are entitled to attend 
succeeding courses free of expense. 
6 



62 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

THE COLUMBIAN COLLEGE. 

This Institution, whicli was incorporated in 
1821, is beautifully situated on an eminence, 
adjoining the City Corporation on the North, and 
on 14th street West. It is a fine brick edifice, 
four stories high, and overlooks the City, Capitol, 
and other Public Buildings ; and commands a 
fine view of the Potomac, with the surrounding 
country, for many miles in extent. In beauty 
and healthfulness of position, it is unsurpassed ; 
and its local advantages are such as no other 
situation in the country can afford. 

Its proximity to the National Metropolis gives 
to young men the opportunity of observing dis- 
tinguished public characters; of becoming ac- 
quainted with the nature and operations of our 
Government; and of witnessing the highest ex- 
hibitions of talent, in the halls of Congress, and 
in the Supreme Court of the U. States. This is 
a great advantage, especially to those who are 
destined to public life; and its practical effects 
are seen, in the number of its Alumni who are 
now filling important and useful stations in society. 

The College has a good Library, a valuable 
Philosophical Apparatus, and other means and 
facilities for pursuing a thorough and liberal course 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 06 

of studies. The last Catalogue, (1850,) embraces 
a President, and twelve Professors and Teachers 
— including those of the National Medical Col- 
lege, which is under the same Corporation — one 
hundred students ; and between two and three 
hundred Alumni. 

The expenses of a student, including board, 
tuition, and all College charges, are about §180 
per annum ; for those who do not board in the 
College, it is about §65 or §70 per annum. 



THE MILITARY ASYLUM. 

The worthy establishment known by this name 
occupies a commanding hill on the northern limits 
of the city, and is a comfortable home for disabled 
soldiers and sailors. The buildings are all that 
could be desired for such an institution, and so 
are the adjoining lands, the whole of which was 
formerly the property of the well known banker, 
George W. Riggs, Esq. The drives leading to 
this retreat are among the most agreeable in the 
District, and upon one of them, is the country 
residence of the venerable and universally ad- 
mired Joseph Gales, Esq., whose collection of rare 
books and works of art is one of the most valua- 



64 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

ble in the land. After Congress had appropriated 
the money for founding the Military Asylum, the 
honor of selecting the site was awarded to Grene- 
ral Scott, so that the citizens of Washington are 
indebted to him for gathering within the limits 
of the Metropolis the remnants of our military 
glory. 



THE COAST SURVEY OFFICE. 

The buildings occupied for the uses of the 
United States Coast Survey are situated on the 
West side of New Jersey Avenue, about a sixth 
of a mile from the Capitol. They consist of four 
old houses, in a block, presenting a decidedly 
rusty exterior, and in no way looking like public 
buildings. 

The room of the Superintendent, Prof. A. D. 
Bache, is at the North end, and that of the As- 
sistant in charge of the Office is at the South end. 
At present this place is filled by brevet Major J. 
J. Stevens, U. S. corps of Engineers. The office 
of Mr. Samuel Hein, Disbursing officer of the 
Survey is in the South middle building. Most 
of the rooms in the upper stories are appropriated 
to computers, draughtsmen and engravers. The 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 65 

fire proof building South of the office, contains 
the Archives, or Records of Observations, the 
Library, the Standard Weights, Balances and 
Measures, the Instruments not in use, and the 
engraved copper plates. 

The Office proper includes all the Departments 
necessary for working up the materials, both as- 
tronomical, topographical, and hydrographic, sent 
in by the various observers. All these are under 
the general direction of the Assistant in charge, 
and under the special direction of their particular 
heads. The Departments are those for Compu- 
ting, Drawing, Engraving, Electrotyping, Print- 
ing, Publishing, Instrument making, and Ar- 
chives. When the computations are completed, 
the materials of the plane table and hydrographic 
sheets are worked up in the Drawing Department, 
for the Engravers. The engraved copper-plates 
are eiectrotyf)ed, and the printing is done mainly 
from these, the originals being preserved. The 
printed sheets are distributed for sale to agents 
in the principal cities. 

The Coast Survey Office, being essentially an 

office for work, presents but scanty attractions for 

visitors. Persons wishing to examine any of the 

methods or processes employed, or desiring in- 

6* 



66 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

formation about matters of the Survey, should 
apply to the Assistant in charge. 

As the construction of Standard Weights and 
Measures is carried on in the same buildings with 
the Coast Survey Works, and is under the same 
Superintendent, it ought to be mentioned that a 
visit to this department will greatly interest the 
visitor. Here may not only be seen much in the 
way of curious scientific operations but also a 
finished set of Standard Weights, Balances, and 
Measures, such as are furnished to the States and 
Custom Houses of the Union. The Assistant and 
Foreman of the department of Weights and Mea- 
sures is Mr. J. Saxton, who always takes pleasure 
in treating strangers with politeness and attention. 
The gentleman under whose superintendence all 
the complicated affairs of the Coast Survey are 
carried on, is Prof. A. D. Bache, whose reputa- 
tion as a man of science is co-extensive with the 
civilized world. He is assisted in his arduous 
duties by some thirty-five assistants and quite a 
large number of Navy Officers ; and it is a re- 
markable circumstance that the Superintendent 
has lost two brothers, both of whom were officers 
of the Navy, but employed upon the Coast Sur- 
vey,— one of them having perished in the waters 
of Pacific, and the other in those of the Atlantic. 



HAND-BOOK Or WASHINGTON. 67 



THE NATIONAL CEMETERY. 

The National or Congressional Burial Ground 
is situated about one mile east of the Capitol, 
embraces about ten acres, commands an extensive 
view of the country, is well enclosed with a brick 
wall, laid out with taste, and beautified with trees 
and shrubbery. It was located in 1807, and ever 
since been in the keeping of an incorporated 
company. The Monuments are manifold and 
many of thefli beautiful ; and in addition to sev- 
eral private vaults is one spacious and well con- 
structed, enclosed by a neat railing, built by the 
order and at the expense of Congress, as a place 
of deposite, for the dead whose remains it may 
be the purpose of friends subsequently to remove. 

Measures have recently been adopted to en- 
large this Cemetery, and some twenty additional 
acres will soon be brought within its limits. The 
number of interments which have taken place up 
to the present time is six thousand. 

A visit to the "City of the Dead" cannot but 
prove interesting to the stranger visiting the Me- 
tropolis, and among the few and picturesque 
monuments which will attract his attention, are 
those to the memory of George Clinton, Elbridge 



68 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

G-erry, Major General Jacob Brown, Joseph 
Lovel, Commodore Rogers' son, A. P. Upsher, 
Commodore Beverly Kennon, Lieut. G. M. Bache, 
Capt. B. A. Terrett, the wife of Peter von Schmidt, 
Judge Pendleton Barbour, and Peter Lenox. 
Quite a large number of Members of Congress 
have been buried here, and there is a mournful 
interest in wandering among the monuments which 
commemorate their names. 

"Glen WOOD Cemetery" is the name of another 
Cemetery which has recently been laid out by 
the citizens of Washington. It contains 90 acres 
at a cost of $10,000, and lies li miles north of 
the Capitol, the most direct way to it being by 
north Capitol street. Thirty acres are now pre- 
pared for interments, and a handsome framed lodge 
or gateway has been built, the front of which, is 
ornamented with figures of Time, Penitence, and 
Love. A large and beautiful mausoleum also, 
capable of containing 100 bodies has been erected 
at a cost of not less than $10,000. Its serpen- 
tine walks extend about four miles, and the sum 
of $35,000 has already been expended in beau- 
tifying the spot. 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 69 



THE CITY HALL. 

This large and handsome edifice, tlie official 
home of the City Fathers, was commenced in 
1820 and finished in 1850, it having remained a 
kind of ruin during most of the intervening time. 
It occupies a commanding position on Judiciary 
Square, is 200 feet in length, and after the stucco 
style of architecture. The Circuit and Criminal 
Courts hold their sessions in this hall ; also the 
members of the City Councils. The Mayor has 
his office here, and so also have a large number 
of the city Attorneys. 

In this connexion it may be well for us to give 
the Judiciary of Washington which is as follows : 

Circuit Court of tJie District. — Chief Judge, 
James Dunlop. Associate Judge, James S. Mor- 
sell. Clerk, J. A. Smith. 

Criminal Court for the District. — Judge, Thos. 
H. Crawford. -Clerk, John A. Smith. 

Orphans^ Court. — Judge, Wm. F. Purcell. 
Register, Edward N. Roach. 



70 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 



THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The Scliools of Washington are quite nume- 
rous : Of free public schools there are four, with 
quite a large retinue of primary schools, which 
are carried on at an annual expense of about J12, 
000. Select schools and seminaries for the edu- 
cation of both sexes, also exist in different parts 
of the City, several of them of a high and estab- 
lished character. Public attention has been 
strongly directed to these institutions, and per- 
laps in no other city are there to be found supe- 
rior advantages of education, which are annually 
on the increase. There are also several excellent 
boarding schools in Washington, and two or three 
in Georgetown. 



MR. FORCE'S LIBRARY. 

Although this is exclusively a private establish- 
ment, its reputation will warrant us in making a 
passing allusion to it. The number of volumes 
which it contains cannot be less than 50,000, 
comprehending a larger collection bearing upon 
the History of the United States, than can be 
found elsewhere under one roof, in this or any 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 71 

other country. Some of the rooms attached to 
it, are al«o enriched with works of Art of ahnost 
every description, and it is just one of those places 
where the lover of old and rich books cannot fail 
to spend many pleasant hours. Col. Force is 
always at home, and takes great pleasure in treat- 
ing with attention those who may call upon him, 
provided they can appreciate the compliment and 
the privilege. 



THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 

The Institution was founded in 1840, and has 
for its object the promotion of Science in all de- 
partments. It holds its meetings and has its 
headquarters at the Patent Office, and the Presi- 
dent is Peter Force, Esq. It has a miscellaneous 
library of nearly 4,000 vols., pamphlets, maps 
and charts, with a few interesting manuscripts ; 
and in the cabinet are many medals and coins. 
The Library is always open to the inspection of 
the public. 



72 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 



THE CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON. 

The Metropolis is well supplied with Churclies, 
and considering its extent is quite as well supplied 
with eloquent preachers, as any city in the Union. 
Of Baptist Churches there are four, one on Tenth 
street, one on E, and two on Virginia Avenue ; 
their Congregations are all large and their pastors 
popular. Of Roman Catholic Churches there are 
four, St. Matthew's, on H street, St. Peter's, on 
Second, St. Patrick's, on F, and St. Mary's on 
Pifth. Of Episcopal Churches there are five, 
viz. Christ Church, on G- street, St. John's, on 
H, Trinity on Third, Epiphany, on G, and As- 
cension, on H. The Trinity Church edifice is one 
of the handsomest, devoted to religion, in the 
City — it is after the Glothic style of architecture. 
It is the Church where Mr. "Webster and Mr. 
Clay were in the hahit of attending, when in 
Washington. In this Church, as indeed in all 
the other Churches of the City, a certain number 
of pews are assigned to strangers. St. John's 
Church stands directly in front of the President's 
House, and when the President happens to attend 
there, is considered the meeting place of the ton. 
There is also one Quaker meeting held in the City, 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 73 

on I street; and two Lutheran Churches, the 
English on H street, and the German on Gr street. 
Of Methodist Churches there are seven in the 
City: one on 4th, one on 14th, one on 5th, one 
on Massachusetts Avenue, one on Mary hind Ave- 
nue, one on 9th street, and one on Virginia 
Avenue. Of Presbyterian Churches there are 
six, one on F street, one on 8th street, one on 
4|- street, one on H, and two on 9th street. 
There is also one Unitarian Church in the City, 
on D street; and of colored Churches there are 
some half dozen scattered about the City. 

In Georgetown there are two Episcopalian 
Churches, one Presbyterian, one Roman Catholic, 
and several Methodist and Baptist Churches. 



THE FINE ARTS IN WASHINGTON. 

In regard to its pictorial treasures the city of 
Washington mtiy boast of some creditable things. 
In one of the rooms of the Smithsonian Institution 
may be seen a large and very interesting collection 
of Indian portraits and Indian Scenes from the 
pencil of Mr. Stanley. At the studio of the 
veteran artist Mr. King may also be found many 
interesting portraits of men and women who have 
1 



74 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

figured in Wasliington societies during the last 
thirty years. In tlie way of private galleries, 
which, through the liberality of their owners, are 
occasionally thrown open to the public, those of 
W. W. Corcoran, Esq. and J. C. McGuire, Esq. 
are the most interesting and extensive. In the 
former are represented such men as Cole, Hunt- 
ington, Gignoux, Leutze, and Fisher of the 
American school, Robbe of Dusseldorf, Moreland 
of the English school, and Mengs and Salvator 
Eosa of the Italian masters; while the presiding 
genius of the place is the original Greek Slave 
of Powers. In the latter gallery are two small 
pictures, said to be by Rubens, one by Wouver- 
man, one by Edmonds of New York, and a goodly 
number of others by talented artists. 



ASSOCIATIONS AND SOCIETIES. 

Of these, there is so great a number in Wash- 
ington that we can only give their titles without 
any comments or particulars. Of Masonic Lodges, 
there are no less than seven, viz : Eederal Lodge, 
Naval Lodge, Potomac Lodge, Lebanon Lodge, 
New Jerusalem Lodge, Hiram Lodge, and Grand 
Lodge. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 75 

have a very fine Hall, where 17 Lodges and En- 
campments are in the habit of meeting ; of the 
Order of Red Men, there are four Tribes and one 
Council ; of the Sons of Temperance 12 Divisions ; 
and of United Brothers of Temperance 4 Associa- 
tions. The Washington Asylum is a large brick 
building near the Congressional burial ground, 
with a large garden cultivated by the inmates. 
It is under the management of a Board of Commis- 
sioners, an intendant, matron and other necessary 
agents, all of whom are appointed by the Mayor 
and the Board of Commissioners. The City In- 
firmary is near the City Hall and is a resort for 
unfortunate strangers. The Orphan Asylum was 
erected twenty years ago, on what is called Mau- 
soleum square, owing its existence mainly to the 
generosity of the late Mrs. Van Ness. A society 
of Ladies was formed in 1815 to give protection 
and aid to orphans, and Mrs. Madison was ap- 
pointed first directress. Mrs. Van Ness was her 
successor, and for several years devoted herself 
to its interests. The association was incorporated 
by act of Congress in 1828. On this square, 
too, stands a mausoleum copied from the Temple 
of Yesta at Rome, erected by General John P. 
Van Ness, for his family and that of his wife's 
father, David Burns. The St. Vincent's Orphan 



76 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

Asylum, at the intersection of Gr and lOtli streets, 
has been rebuilt on a noble scale, and is liberally 
sustained by the Roman Catholics. The miscel- 
laneous societies of the city are the Columbian 
Typographical Society, Washington Library, Yini 
Lyceum, three Benevolent Societies, the Free- 
man's Vigilant Total Abstinence Society, and the 
Young Men's Christian Association. 

The Banks of Washington are the Bank of the 
Metropolis, Patriotic Bank, and Bank of Y^ash- 
ington; the Banking Houses, Biggs & Co., 
Chubb & Co., and Sweeney, Bittenhouse, Fant 
& Co.; and in Georgetown the Farmers and Me- 
chanics Bank is the only one of character. 



WASHINGTON HOTELS. 

Hotels are quite numerous, but not sufficiently 
so, even now, to accommodate the public. With 
one or two unimportant exceptions, they are all 
situated on Pennsylvania Avenue. The names 
of the principal ones are the National Hotel, 
Brown's Hotel, Willard's Hotel, the United States 
Hotel, the Kirkwood House, the Washington 
Hotel, (formerly Gadsby's,) and the American 
Hotel. All these hotels are supplied with the 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 77 

best of a first rate market, and witli numerous 
and generally accommodating servants. From 
the doors of each, the stranger may at almost 
any moment step into a convenient and elegant 
omnibus, and go to almost any part of the city 
he may desire. The prices charged for board 
are not uniform, but the expenses generally, are 
by no means lower than in such cities as Phila- 
delphia, New York and Boston. Of private 
boarding houses there are a great number, and 
by lovers of quiet these are frequently preferred 
to the more public establishments. The Wash- 
ington Club have their quarters in a spacious 
building on President Square. 



OFFICIAL SALARIES. 

As Washington is reputed to be a place where 
people meet to intrigue for office and money, we 
have deemed it proper to allude to the salaries 
received by the leading officials. The annual 
compensation of the President is $25,000, that 
of each member of the Cabinet, of whom there 
are seven, $8,000, that of the A^iee-President 
§5,000, that of the Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court $6,500, and the Associate Justices 0,000 



78 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

each. ^1 members of Congress receive eiglit 
dollars per day and mileage, while the Speaker 
of the House receives sixteen dollars per day. 
All heads of Bureaus receive ^3,000, and the 
Clerkships range from J2,500 to $750. As a 
general thing, the first of every month is pay day. 



OFFICIAL RECEPTIONS. 

Few strangers ever visit Washington during 
the sessions of Congress without being invited by 
a friend to a reception, and it is therefore proper 
that we should briefly allude to them. What we 
have already said of those held by the President, 
where the only ' ' entertainment" consists of good 
music by the Marine Band, is only partly true, 
when applied to the receptions held by the various 
members of the Cabinet. On one evening in 
each week do the Secretaries throw open their 
houses to the public, and though all strangers, 
when properly introduced, are cheerfully welcom- 
ed, it is not customary for residents to attend 
who do not receive cards of invitation, but these 
are always sent to all persons who have previously 
taken the trouble to leave their own complimen- 
tary cards. Some of the Judges of the Supreme 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 79 

Court, and many of tlie more hospitable members 
of Congress, also, bold receptions at stated times, 
but as these usually partake of the character of 
private parties, they are attended only by special 
invitation. A species of entertainment called 
the Hop has lately been brought into vogue by 
the leading hotels, and better occasions than they 
afford for the thinker to study character, or for 
the young and joyous to have a good time gene- 
rally, are seldom met with anywhere. 

In this connection it may be well to add a few 
remarks on the etiquette of Washington generally. 
On the assembling together of Congress a sys- 
tematic exchange of calls takes place between the 
members of the Cabinet, members of Congress 
and the President. For strangers to call upon 
the President or the Secretaries upon business 
before or after the regular business hours is con- 
sidered improper, although this breach of etiquette 
is constantly committed to a great extent. As is 
usual in other' American cities, it is customary 
here for those who have attended any private 
entertainment by invitation, to call upon the giver 
of the party on the second or third day thereafter. 
With regard to the minor customs of polite society 
in the Metropolis, it is only necessary to state 
that all such matters here, as is the case in other 



80 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

enlightened communities, are directed by the 
simple precepts of good breeding. 



THE MARKETS OF WASHINGTON". 

From hotels the transition to the markets of 
the town is natural. Of market houses there are 
four, but the largest and most important is Centre 
market on Pennsylvania Avenue. In describing 
this, we describe them all. A greater variety of 
good things can no where be found collected un- 
der one roof, than may at all times be found in 
Centre market. The highlands of Maryland and 
Virginia supply it with beef and mutton, that 
cannot be excelled, while the adjoining country 
pours into it a variety of vegetables that makes 
one wonder where they all come from. In the 
way of fish, the Potomac yields a great variety, 
the shad, rock fish or basse and the oysters, hav- 
ing no superior, in the country : — and no market 
is better supplied with venison, wild turkey, orto- 
lon, reed-birds and the famous canvas back ducks. 
And then again, although the Centre market 
building is by no means a classical one, yet no 
market in this land has been frequented by so 
many illustrious men, — such men for example as 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 81 

Marshall and Jackson, Webster, Clay, and Jolin 
Quincy Adams ; and those who take pleasure in 
studying tho peculiarities of an interesting negro 
population cannot fail to be amused by a morning 
walk in and about the Centre market when busi- 
ness is in full blast. 



THE CLIMATE OF WASHINGTON. 

An erroneous opinion has for many years pre- 
vailed respecting the healthfulness of this city, — 
the grave yard records having conclusively proven 
the fact that there are very few more healthy 
localities in the Union. The climate resembles 
that of the adjoining States of Maryland and 
Virginia, and may be denominated as temperate. 
Many winters come and go without bringing a bit 
of snow, although the winter of 1855-6 will ever 
be remembered for its many severe snow storms 
and its excessive coldness. The summers are long 
and oftentimes oppressive, but the air is kept pure 
by frequent thunder storms. During the autumn, 
on the immediate banks of the Potomac, bilious 
and intermitting fevers prevail to a considerable 
extent, but the malarian influences do not last 
long, and those who have been acclftnated are 



82 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

seldom subject to these diseases. The magnificent 
distances of the city have often been ridiculed, 
but the broad streets and avenues are undoubtedly 
of great service in admitting to every dwelling a 
free circulation of wholesome air, which, with good 
water, may be considered invaluable blessings. 



SPECIFIC DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. 

With a view of facilitating the views of persons 
visiting Washington on business, we think it 
proper to mention the executive officers and to 
specify their several duties. 

DEPARTIVIENT OF STATE. 

The whole machinery employed to conduct the 
business arising out of our foreign relations with 
all the powers of the world is far more simple 
than is generally conceived. The number em- 
ployed in the Department of State of the United 
States is only seventeen, as follows : One Secre- 
tary of State, one Assistant Secretary of State, 
one chief clerk, twelve clerks, one translator, 
and one librarian. 

Diplomatic Branch. — This Branch of the 
State Department has charge of all correspond- 
ence between the department and all diplomatic 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 83 

agents of tlie United States abroad, and those of 
foreign powers accredited to this government. 
In it all diplomatic instructions sent from the 
department, and communications to commission- 
ers under treaties of boundaries, &c., are pre- 
pared, copied, and recorded ; and all of like char- 
acter received are registered and filed, their con- 
tents being first entered in an analytic table or 
index. 

Consular Branch. — This branch has charge of 
the correspondence, &c., between the department 
and the consuls and commercial agents of the 
United States. In it instructions to those officers, 
and answers to their despatches and to letters 
from other persons asking for consular agency, 
or relating to consular afiairs, are prepared and 
recorded. 

The Disbursing Agent. — He has charge of all 
correspondence and other matters connected with 
accounts relating to any fund with the disburse- 
ment of which the departmrnt is charged. 

The Translator. — His duties are to furnish 
such translations as the department may require. 
He also records the commissions of consuls and 
vice consuls, when not in English, upon which 
exequaturs are issued. 



84 HAND-BOOK OF WASSINGTON^ 

Clerh of Appointments and Commissions. — He 
makes out and records commissions, letters of 
appointment, and nominations to the Senate ; 
makes out and records exequaturs, and records, 
when in English, the commissions on which they 
are issued. Has charge of the library. 

Clerh of the Rolls and Archives. — He takes 
charge of the rolls, or enrolled acts and resolu- 
tions of Congress, as they are received at the de- 
partment from the President ; prepares the au- 
thenticated copies thereof which are called for ; 
prepares for, and superintends their publication, 
and that of treaties, in newspapers and in book 
form ; attends to their distribution throughout 
the United States, and that of all documents and 
publications in regard to which this duty is as- 
signed to the department ; writing and answering 
all letters connected therewith. Has charge of 
all Indian treaties, and business relating thereto. 

Clerh of Authentications and Copyrights. — He 
has charge of the seals of the United States and 
of the department, and prepares and attaches 
certificates to papers presented for authentication ; 
receives and accounts for the fees. Has charge 
of publications transmitted to the department 
under the laws relating to copyrights; records 
and indexes their titles ; records all letters from 



HAND-BOOK OF WASUIXGTON. 85 

the department, other than the diplomatic and 
consular. 

Clerh of Pardons and Passports. — He prepares 
and records pardons and remissions ; and registers 
and files the petitions and papers on which they 
are founded. Makes out and records passports; 
keeps a daily register of all letters, other than 
diplomatic and consular, received, and of the dis- 
position made of them ; prepares letters relating 
to this business. 

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. 

The ordinary business of this office may be 
classified under the following heads : 

1. Official opinions on the current business of 
the government, as called for by the President, 
by any head of department, or by the Solicitor 
of the Treasury. 

2. Examination of the titles, of all land pur- 
chased, as the 'sites of arsenals, custom-houses, 
light-houses, and all other public works of the 
United States. 

8. Applications for pardons in all cases of con- 
viction in the courts of the United States. 

4. Applications for appointment in all the ju- 
dicial and legal business of the Government. 
8 



86 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

6. The conduct and argument of all suits in 
the Supreme Court of the United States in which 
the government is concerned. 

6. The supervision of all other suits arising in 
any of the departments when referred by the 
head thereof to the Attorney General. 

To these ordinary heads of the business of the 
office are added at the present time the following, 
viz : 

First. The direction of all appeals on land 
claims in California. 

Second. The codification and revision of the 
laws of the District of Columbia. 

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. 

Has one Secretary, and its clerical force con- 
sists of one chief clerk, one disbursing agent, and 
ten other regular clerks ; and to its supervision 
and management are committed the following 
branches of the public service : 

1st. The Public Lands. — The chief of this 
bureau is called the ' ' Commissioner of the Gren- 
eral Land Office." The Land Bureau is charged 
with the survey, management, and sale of the 
public domain, and the issuing of titles therefor, 
whether derived from confirmations of grants 
made by former governments, by sales, donations, 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 87 

of grants for schools, military bounties, of public 
improvements, and likewise the revision of Vir- 
ginia military bounty land claims, and the issuing 
of scrip in lieu thereof. The Land Office, also, 
audits its own accounts. Its principal officers are 
a recorder, chief or principal clerk of public lands, 
principal clerk of private land claims, and prin- 
cipal clerk of surveys — all of whom are appointed 
by the President and confirmed by the Senate — 
besides a draughtsman, assistant draughtsman, 
and some 106 clerks of various grades. 

2d. Pensions. — The Commissioner is charged 
with the examination and adjudication of all claims 
arising under the various and numerous laws 
passed by Congress granting bounty land or pen- 
sions for military or naval services in the revolu- 
tionary and subsequent wars in which the United 
States have been engaged. He has one chief 
clerk, and a permanent corps consisting of some 
seventy other clerks, to which Congress, to ena- 
ble him to meet the extraordinary requirements 
of the new bounty-land law, has added a tempo- 
rary force of about fifty clerkships of different 
denominations. 

3d. Indians. — The Commissioner of Indian Af- 
fairs is provided with a chief clerk and about 
fifteen othor subordinate clerks. 



(53 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

4tli. Patent Office. — To this bureau is com- 
mitted the execution and performance of all ' ' acts 
and things touching and respecting the granting 
and issuing of patents for new and useful discov- 
eries, inventions, and improvements:" the col- 
lection of statistics relating to agriculture ; the 
collection and distribution of seeds, plants, and 
cuttings. It has a chief clerk — who is by law 
the Acting Commissioner of Patents in the ab- 
sence of the Commissioner — ten principal and ten 
assistant examiners of Patents, besides some dozen 
other subordinate permanent clerks. 

Besides these four principal branches of this 
new executive department, the organic act of 
1849 transferred to it from the Treasury depart- 
ment the supervision of i\\Q accounts of the United 
States marshals and attorneys, and the clerks of 
the United States court ; the management of the 
lead and other mines of the United States, and 
the afTairs of the penitentiary of the United States 
in the District of Columbia ; and from the State 
Department the duty of taking and returning the 
censuses of the United States, and of supervising 
and directing the acts of the Commissioner of 
Public Buildings. By recent acts of Congress, 
also, the hospital for the insane of the army and 
navy and of the District of Columbia is under 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 89 

the management of this department ; and by as- 
signment from the President, it has added to its 
long list of duties the survey and demarcation of 
the unsettled boundary lines between the States 
and Territories and bordering nations. 

This department is at present very inconveni- 
ently separated and located, and should be appro- 
priately and permanently provided for. The Sec- 
retary's office occupies a portion of the new Pa- 
tent Office building, the General Land Office a 
portion of the Treasury building, and the Pension 
Office a portion of " Winder's building," now the 
property of the government, whilst the Indian 
Office is located in premises not fire-proof, and 
rented of their private owners. 

TREASURY DEPARTJIENT. 

The Treasury Department consists of the Sec- 
retary of the Treasury, two comptrollers, com- 
missioner of the customs, six auditors, treasurer, 
register, solicitor, light-house board, and coast 
survey . 

The following is a brief indication of the duties 
of these several offices and of the force employed 
therein respectively : 

Secretary's Office. — -Secretary of the Treasury; 
Assistant Secretary ; one engineer in charge ; one 
8* 



90 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

architect, and three draughtsmen temporarily 
employed, and twenty- three clerks. The Secre- 
tary of the Treasury is charged with the general 
supervision of the fiscal transactions of the gov- 
ernment, and of the execution of the laws con- 
cerning the commerce and navigation of the 
United States. He superintends the survey of 
the coast, the light-house establishment, the ma- 
rine hospitals of the United States, and the con- 
struction of certain public buildings for custom- 
houses and other purposes. 

First Comptroller's Office. — Comptroller, and 
fifteen clerks. He prescribes the mode of keeping 
and rendering accounts for the civil and diplomatic 
service as well as the public lands, and revises 
and certifies the balances arising thereon. 

Second ComjytroUer'' s Office. — Comptroller, and 
seventeen clerks. He prescribes the mode of 
keeping and rendering the accounts of the army, 
navy, and Indian departments of the public ser- 
vice, and revises and certifies the balances arising 
thereon. 

Offi<:e of Commissioner of the Customs. — Com- 
missioner, and eleven clerks. He prescribes the 
mode of keeping and rendering the accounts of 
the customs revenue and disbursements, and for 
the building and repairing custom-houses, &c., 



nAND-BOOK OF WASUINGTON. 91 

and revises and certifies the balances arising 
thereon. 

First Audifo7'^s Office. — First Auditor, and 
nineteen clerks. He receives and adjusts the ac- 
counts of the customs revenue and disbursements, 
appropriations and expenditures on account of the 
civil list and under private acts of Congress, and 
reports the balances to the Commissioner of the 
Customs and the First Comptroller, respectively, 
for their decision thereon. 

Second Auditoih Office. — Second Auditor, and 
twenty-one clerks. He receives and adjusts all 
accounts relating to the pay, clothing, and re- 
cruiting of the army, as well as armories, arsenals, 
and ordnance, and all accounts relating to the 
Indian department, and reports the balances to 
the Second Comptroller for his decision thereon. 

Third Auditor''s O^ffke. — Third Auditor, and 
seventy-eight clerks. He receives and adjusts 
all accounts for subsistence of the army, fortifica- 
tions. Military Academy, military roads, and the 
Quartermaster's department, as well as for pen- 
sions, claims arising from military services pre- 
vious to 1816, and for horses and other property 
lost in the military service, under various acts of 
Congress, and reports the balances to the Second 
Comptroller for his decision thereon. 



92 HAND-BOOK OF TTASHINGTON. 

Fourth Auditor's Office. — Fourth Auditor, and 
sixteen clerks. He receives and adjusts all ac- 
counts for tlie service of the Navy Department, 
and reports the balances to the Second Comptroller 
for his decision thereon. 

Fifth Auditor's Office. — Fifth Auditor, and 
six clerks. He receives and adjusts all accounts 
for diplomatic and similar services performed un- 
der the (iirection of the State Department, and 
reports the balances to the First Comptroller for 
his decision thereon. 

Sixth Auditor's Office. — Sixth Auditor, and 
one hundred and one clerks. He receives and 
adjusts all accounts arising from the service of 
the Post Office Department. His decisions are 
final, unless an appeal be taken in twelve months 
to the First Comptroller; and he superintends 
the collection of all debts due the Post Office 
Department. 

Treasurer's Office.— Treasurer, and thirteen 
clerks. He receives and keeps the moneys of 
the United States in his own office, and that of 
the depositories created by the act of the 6th of 
August, 1846, and pays out the same upon war- 
rants drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury, 
countersigned by the First Comptroller, and upon 
warrants drawn by the Postmaster General, and 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHING TON. 93 

countersigned by the Sixth Auditor, and recorded 
by the Register. He also holds public moneys 
advanced by warrant to disbursing officers, and 
pays out the same upon their checks. 

Register's Oj/ice. — Register, ajad twenty-nine 
elerks. He keeps the accounts of public receipts 
and expenditures ; receives the returns and makes 
out the official statement of commerce and navi- 
gation of the United States ; and receives from 
the First Comptroller and Commissioner of Cus- 
toms all accounts and vouchers decided by them, 
and is charged by law with their safe-keeping. 

Solicitor's Ojjice. — Solicitor, and six clerks. 
He superintends all civil suits commenced by the 
United States, and instructs the United States 
attorneys, marshals, and clerks in all matters re- 
lating to them and their results. He receives 
returns from each term of the United Stafes 
courts, showing the progress and condition of 
such suits; has charge of all lands and other 
property assignt^d to the United States in pay- 
ment of debts, and has power to sell and dispose 
of the same for the benefit of the United States. 

Liglit-House Board. — This board directs the 
building and repairing of light-houses, light- ves- 
sels, buoys and beacons, contracts for supplies of 
oil, &c. 



94 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

The duties of the Coast Survey have already 
been described. 

NAVY DEPARTMENT. 

The Navy department consists of the Navy 
Department proper, being the office of the Secre- 
tary and of five bureaus attached thereto, viz : 
Bureau of Navy-yards and Docks, Bureau of 
Construction, Equipment, and Repair, Bureau of 
Provisions and Clothing, Bureau of Ordnance and 
Hydrography, and the Bureau of Medicine and 
Surgery. 

The following is a statement of the duties of 
each of these offices and of the force employed 
therein : 

Secretary'' s Office. — Secretary of the Navy : 
cljief clerk; and eleven clerks. The Secretary 
of the Navy has charge of everything connected 
with the naval establishment, and the execution 
of all laws relating thereto is intrusted to him, 
under the general direction of the President of 
the United States, who, by the constitution, is 
commander-in-chief of the army and navy. All 
instructions to commanders of squadrons and 
commanders of vessels, all orders of officers, com- 
missions of officers both in the navy and marine 
corps, appointments of commissioned and warrant \ 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 95 

officers, orders for the enlistment and discliarge 
of seamen, emanate from the Secretary's office. 
All the duties of the different bureaus are per- 
formed under the authority of the Secretary, and 
their orders are considered as emanating from 
him. The general superintendence of the marine 
corps forms, also, a part of the duties of the 
Secretary, and all the orders of the commandant 
of that corps should be approved by him. 

Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks. — Commo- 
dore, chief of the bureau, four clerks, one civil 
engineer, and one draughtsman. All the navy- 
yards, docks and wharves, buildings and machine- 
ry in navy-yards, and everything immediately 
connected with them, are under the superinten- 
dence of this bureau. It is also charged with the 
management of the Naval Asylum. 

Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Re- 
pair. — Chief of the bureau, eight clerks, and one 
draughtsman. The office of the engineer-in-chief 
of the navy, is' attached to this bureau, who is 
assisted by three assistant engineers. This bu- 
reau has charge of the building and repairs of all 
vessels-of-war, purchase of materials, and the 
providing of all vessels with their equipments, as 
sails, anchors, water-tanks, &c. The engineer- 
in-chief superintends the construction of all ma- 



96 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

line steam engines for the navy, and, with the 
approval of the Secretary, decides upon plans for 
their construction. 

Bureau of Provisions and Clothing. — A pur- 
ser United States navy, chief of bureau, and four 
clerks. All provisions for the use of the navy, 
and clothing, together with the making of con- 
tracts for furnishing the same, come under the 
charge of this bureau. 

Bureau of Ordnance and Ilydrographij. — Com- 
modore, chief of bureau, four clerks, and one 
draughtsman. This bureau has charge of all 
ordnance and ordnance stores, the manufacture or 
purchase of cannon, guns, powder, shot, shells, 
&c., and the equipment of vessels-of-war, with 
everything connected therewith. It also provides 
them with maps, charts, chronometers, barome- 
ters, &c. , together with such books as are furnished 
ships-of-war. "The United States Naval Obser- 
vatory and Hydrographical Office" at Washington^ 
and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, are also 
under the general superintendence of the chief 
of this bureau. 

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, — Surgeon 
United States navy, chief of bureau, one passed 
assistant surgeon United States navy, and two 
clerks. Everything relating to medicines and 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. " 97 

medical stores, treatment of sick and wounded, 
and management of hospitals, comes within the 
superintendence of this bureau. 

POST OFFICE DEPAETJIENT. 

The direction and management of the Post 
Office Department are assigned by the constitution 
and laws to the Postmaster General. That its 
business may be the more conveniently arranged 
and prepared for his final action, it is distributed 
among several bureaus, as follows : The Appoint- 
ment Office, in charge of the First Assistant 
Postmaster General; the Contract Office, in 
charge of the Second Assistant Postmaster Gene- 
ral ; the Finance Office, in charge of the Third 
Assistant Postmaster General ; and the Inspection 
Office, in charge of the chief clerk. 

Appointment Office. — First Assistant Postmas- 
ter General, and nineteen clerks. To this office 
are assigned all questions which relate to the 
establishment and discontinuance of post offices, 
changes of sites and names, appointment and re- 
moval of postmasters and route and local agents, 
as, also, the giving of instructions to postmasters. 
Postmasters are furnished with marking and rating 
stamps and letter balances by this bureau, which 
is charged also with providing blanks and station- 



98 HAXD-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 

erj for the use of tlie department, and with the 
superintendence of the several agencies establish- 
ed for supplying postmasters with blanks. To 
this bureau is likewise assigned the supervision 
of the ocean mail steamship lines, and of the 
foreign and international postal arrangements. 

Contract Office. — Second Assistant Postmaster 
G-eneral, and twenty-six clerks. To this office is 
assigned the business of arranging the mail ser- 
vice of the United States, and placing the same 
under contract, embracing all correspondence and 
proceedings respecting the frequency of trips, 
mode of conveyance, and times of departures and 
arrivals on all the routes ; the course of the mail 
between the different sections of the country, the 
points of mail distribution, and the regulations 
for the government of the domestic mail service 
of the United States. It prepares the advertise- 
ments for mail proposals, receives the bids, and 
takes charge of the annual and occasional mail 
lettings, and the adjustment and execution of the 
contracts. All applications for the establishment 
or alteration of mail arrangements, and the ap- 
pointment of mail messengers, should be sent to 
this office. All claims should be submitted to it 
for transportation service not under contract, as 
the recognition of said service is first to be ob- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 99 

tained througli the Contract Office as a necessary 
authority for the proper credits at the Auditor's 
Office, From, this office all postmasters at the 
ends of routes receive the statement of mail ar- 
rangements prescribed for the respective routes. 
It reports weekly to the Auditor all contracts 
executed, and all orders affecting accounts for 
mail transportation ; prepares the statistical ex- 
hibits of the mail service, and the reports of the 
mail lettings, giving a statement of each bid; 
also of the contracts made, the new service origi- 
nated, the curtailments ordered, and the additional 
allowances granted within the year. 

Finance Office. — Third Assistant Postmaster 
General, and twenty-one clerks. To this office 
are assigned the supervision and management of 
the financial business of the depai'tment, not de- 
volved by law upon the Auditor, embracing ac- 
counts with the draft offices and other depositaries 
of the department, the issuing of warrants and 
drafts in payment of balances reported by the 
Auditor to be due to mail contractors and other 
persons, the supervision of the accounts of offices 
under orders to deposite their quarterly balances 
at designated points, and the superintendence of 
the rendition by postmasters of their quarterly 
returns of postages. It has charge of the dead- 



100 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

letter office, of tlie issuing of postage stamps and 
stamped envelopes for the pre-payment of postage, 
and of tlie accounts connected therewith. 

To the Third Assistant Postmaster General all 
postmasters should direct their quarterly returns 
of postage ; those at draft offices, their letters re- 
porting quarterly the net proceeds of their offices, 
and those at depositing offices, their certificates 
of deposite ; to him should also be direct<3d the 
weekly and monthly returns of the depositaries 
of the department, as well as all applications and 
receipts for postage stamps and stamped envelopes, 
and for dead letters. 

Inspection Office. — Chief clerk, and seventeen 
clerks. To this office is assigned the duty of re- 
ceiving and examining the registers of the arri- 
vals and departures of the mails, certificates of 
the service of route agents, and reports of mail 
'failures ; of noting the delinquencies of con- 
tractors, and preparing cases thereon for the ac- 
tion of the Postmaster G-eneral ; furnishing blanks 
for mail registers, and reports of mail failures ; 
providing and sending out mail-bags and mail- 
locks and keys, and doing all other things which 
may be necessary to secure a faithful and exact 
performance of all mail contracts. 

All cases of mail depredation, of violation of 



HAND-BOOK OF WASmNGTON. 101 

law by private expresses, or by tlie forging or il- 
legal use of postage stamps, are under the super- 
vision of tbis office, and should be reported to it. 

All communications respecting lost money, 
letters, mail depredations, or other violations of 
law, or mail-locks and keys, should be directed 
"Chief Clerk, Post Office Department." 

All registers of the arrivals and departures of 
the mails, certificates of the service of route 
agents, reports of mail failures, applications for 
blank registers, and reports of failures, and all 
complaints against contractors for irregular or 
imperfect service, should be directed "Inspection 
Office, Post Office Department." 

WAR DEPARTMENT. 

In the Secretary's office proper there are one 
chief clerk, seven subordinate clerks, two mes- 
sengers, and four watchmen. The following bu- 
reaus are attached to this department : 

Commanding GeneraVs Office. — This office, at 
the head of which is Lieutenant Greneral Scott, is 
at New York. 

Adjutant GeneraVs O^ffice. — Col. Samuel Coo- 
per, Adjutant General. Assistants — Lieut. Col. 
W. Gr. Freeman, Major George Deas, and Cap- 
tain Seth Williams. Judge Advocate, Major 
John F. Lee. Nine clerks and one messenjrer. 



102 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

In this office are kept all the records which refer 
to the personnel of the army, the rolls, &c. It is 
here where all military commissions are made out. 

Quartennaster GeneraVs Office. — Gren. Thomas 
S. Jesup, quartermaster general ; Charles Thom- 
as, assistant quartermaster general ; Captain M. 
M. Clark, district quartermaster; Major H. C. 
Wayne, in charge of clothing branch ; eleven 
clerks and one messenger. 

Paymaster GeneraVs Office. — Col. B. F. Larned, 
paymaster General; Maj. St. Clair Denny, district 
paymaster ; eight clerks and one messenger. 

Commissary GeneraVs Offce. — Gen. George 
Gibson, commissary general ; assistant. Captain 
A. E. Shrias ; six clerks and one messenger. 

Surgeon GeneraVs Office. — Gen. Thomas Law- 
son, surgeon general; assistants, Dr. R. C. Wood 
and Dr. Richard H. Coolidge; three clerks. 

Engineer Office. — General Joseph G. Totten, 
chief engineer; assistant. Lieutenant John D. 
Kurtz ; five clerks and one messenger. 

Topographical Bureau. — Col. J. J. Abert, 
colonel of the corps ; assistant, Lieut. M. L. 
Smith ; four clerks and one messenger. 

Ordnance JBureau. — Colonel H. R. Craig 
colonel of ordnance ; assistant. Captain Wm. 
Maynadier; eight clerks and one messenger. 



QEORaETOWN. 

No stranger at the Seat of Government should 
"ever think of omitting a visit to Georgetown, 
which is on the Potomac above Washington, and 
only separated from it by a charming stream call- 
ed Rock Creek, It was formerly a place of con- 
siderable commercial importance, and is even now 
a thriving and busy place. It is connected with 
the Coal region of Cumberland by the Ohio and 
Chesapeake Canal, and with New York, Boston, 
and the West Indies by lines of sailing packets. 
The brands of flour exported from this city uni- 
formly command the highest prices in the north- 
ern markets, and much the largest amount of 
sugar consumed by the people of the District of 
Columbia is imported directly to this city in 
vessels belonging to its leading merchants. 

The lofty eminences that overlook the town 
from the North and West are known as the 
Heights of Georgetown. Along these elevations 
gentlemen of wealth have built their dwellings, 
and cultivated beautiful and extensive gardens. 
Here, when he was Secretary of War resided 
Mr. Calhoun, here also resided .Mr. Bodisco the 
Eussian Minister, and the Diplomatic Bepresen- 
103 



104 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

tatives of the French and English Governments 
reside hero at the present time. 

The prospects from these Heights, of the great 
Valley of the Potomac and of the entire City of 
"Washington, have been considered by travellers 
as unsiu'passed in point of grandeur and beauty 
by any thing of the kind in the United States. 
Among the attractions of Georgetown are the 
College, the Convent, the Female Seminary, the 
Aqueduct, the Cemetery and the Little Falls. 



GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, D. G. 

Georgetown College is situated on the north- 
ern bank of the Potomac at the west end of 
Georgetown, and commands a full ^aew of George- 
town, "Washington, the Potomac, and a great part 
of the District of Columbia. Its situation is 
peculiarly healthy. 

In the year 1785, five gentlemen, the principal 
of whom was the Rev. John Carroll, afterwards 
the first Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, for- 
med a design of building ' ' An Academy at 
Georgetown, Potowmack River, Maryland." In 
1789, the first house was built; in 1792 the 
schools commenced, and in 1798 we find it " The 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 106 

College of Georgetown, Potomac River, State of 
Maryland." In May, 1815, Congress raised it 
to the rank of an University. In May, 1851, 
* * The Medical Department of Georgetown Col- 
lege" was opened in Washington, D. C. 

The College buildings are spacious, and contain 
a fine Library of 25,000 volumes, an extensive 
Philosophical Apparatus, and a neat Museum of 
Natural History. An Astronomical Observatory, 
sixty feet long by thirty wide and furnished with 
Instruments of the first class, stands three hun- 
dred yards West of the College. 

The Academic year begins on the 15th of Sep- 
tember, and ends on the last of July. The col- 
legiate Course of Studies occupies generally seven 
years, inclusive of the preparatory classes, which 
last four years, unless the proficiency of the Stu- 
dent authorize an abbreviation of that term. The 
English Department, for those who cannot devote 
the time to the collegiate Course, embraces all the 
branches of a' thorough English education. Math- 
ematics, and Natural Philosophy, together with 
French, included. 

The Public are admitted at all hours of the day 
to see the Establishment, and the President or 
some of the Professors, themselves, generally 
wait on visitors. 



106 HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 



ACADExMY OF THE VISITATION. 

This Academy, founded in 1799, is in a heal- 
thy and airy situation, on the Heights of George- 
town in the District of Columbia, contiguous to 
the eastern margin of the Potomac. The win- 
dows command a view of this magnificent river, 
and at a distance of the City of Washington. 
The ladies who are entrusted with the direction 
and care of the studies, are members of the Re- 
ligious Order, founded in 1610, by St. Francis 
de Sales, and directed at the commencement by 
St, Jane Frances Fremiot de Chantal. Meek- 
ness, benevolence, and a moderate indulgence 
constituted the character of those venerated bene- 
factors of society, in their direction of youth. It 
is the study of their daughters to display these 
virtues, in the fulfilment of the high obligations 
imposed upon them by the confidence of their 
friends. 

The course of instruction comprises Orthogra- 
phy, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, 
Ancient and Modern Geography, the use of the 
Globes, Prose and Poetical Composition, SacrecJ 
and Profane History, Mythology, Rhetoric, As- 
tronomy, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Chem- 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 107 

isirj, Mineralogy, Botany, G-eometry, Algebra, 
Book-keeping, French, Spanish, Italian, German, 
and Latin Languages, Music on the Piano, Harp, 
Guitar, and Organ, Vocal Music, Drawing, 
Painting in Water Colors, in Oil, and on Velvet, 
Plain and Ornamental Needle Work, Tapestry, 
Lace Work, Bead Work, &c. 

A public distribution of premiums takes place 
on the last Wednesday of July. 

The annual vacation commences on the last 
Thursday of July — the exercises re-commence 
on the first Monday in September. 

As regards the exact observance of rules, polite 
deportment, and zeal for advancement, the young 
ladies are divided into two circles. A crown and 
gold medal are awarded to the first in the Senior 
Circle, and a crown is awarded to the first in the 
Junior Circle. 

Strangers are permitted to visit the Academy 
every day excepting Sunday ; the most conveni- 
ent hours are from 11 until 2 o'clock. 



THE FEMALE SEMINARY. 

This occupies an extensive building in the 
centre of the town, and is under the superinten- 



108 HAND-BOaK GF WASHINGTON. 

dence of Rev. W. J. Clark, but the founder of 
the school was Miss Lydia English. The insti- 
tution has long been considered one of the best 
in the Union of the kind, the teachers are numer- 
ous and highly accomplished, and the young 
ladies who attend here, are taught not only all 
the ordinary branches of education, but also all 
the elegant accomplishments of the day, Music, 
Drawing, and the Languages. Pupils have been 
sent from this Seminary into all parts of the 
Union, enriched with the knowledge and adorned 
with the graces, which it has ever imparted with 
remarkable success. 



THE AQUEDUCT 



Which spans the Potomac at Georgetown, is 
a stupendous work, and has attracted the atten- 
tion of European as well as 'American architects 
and men of science. It was constructed by Ma- 
jor Turnbull, of the Topographical Engineers, 
and cost nearly $2,000,000. It has nine piers, 
whose foundations, which are of granite, are no 
less than thirty-six feet under icater; it is fourteen 
hundred and forty-six feet long, and rises above 
the water about forty feet. It connects the Ohio 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 109 

and Chesapeake Canal with Alexandria. The 
scenery of the river at this point, is varied and 
interesting. 



THE GEORGETOWN CEMETEEY 

Is located on the heights of the town, and is 
one of its chief ornaments. It was laid out at 
the expense, and under the direction of the 
wealthy and very noble-hearted Banker, William 
W. Corcoran, Esq., as a tribute of his affection 
for the place of his birth. The situation directly 
on Kock Creek is romantic to a great degree, and 
the best taste has been displayed in its arrange- 
ment. It has a porter's lodge, a receiving tomb, 
and a beautiful Gothic chapel, which combine to 
make a visit to the spot quite entertaining. 



THE LITTLE FALLS. 

These are about three miles above Georgetown, 
and at the head of tide water. The great Poto- 
mac is here so greatly contracted that a stone can 
be easily tossed from one shore to the other ; the 
fall of water is about fifteen feet ; the surrounding 
scenery is wild and exceedingly picturesque ; and 
the spot is particularly famous as a resort for the 
followers of the gentle art. The principal game 
fish caught here are the rock fish or striped basse, 
and the spot is sometimes visited by the anglers 
of places as remote as Baltimore and Charleston. 
The fame of the little falls has been somewhat 
increased of late years, by the fact that it was a 
favorite angling haunt of the Hon. Daniel "Web- 
ster, and continues to be a favorite fishing and 
sketching place with his personal friend the Hon. 
John F. Crampton the British Minister. 



THE GREAT FALLS. 

The Great Falls of the Potomac, which are 
well worth visiting, are about ten miles further 
up the river, and may be reached by carriage or 
110 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. Ill 

canal boat. When the Potomac is full the aspect 
of these falls is exceedingly grand, and the deep 
cuts or gorge through the solid rocks which abound 
in their vicinity are exceedingly picturesque and 
interesting. From this point it is that the water 
is to be conveyed to the metropolis at the expense 
of the General Government by means of the 
Washington Aqueduct, which, when finished will 
rival the great affair which is now the wonder 
and pride of New York city. The diversity and 
beauty of the scenery between the Great Falls 
and Georgetown is worthy of all praise. A more 
interesting region for the exploration of the 
Geologist or Painter can hardly anywhere be 
found. 



ARLINGTON' HOUSE. 

By this name is the mansion of George Wash- 
ington Park Cusiis designated. It occupies a 
commanding position on the Virginia side of the 
Potomac, nearly opposite Georgetown. The edi- 
fice is extensive, elegant and imposing, two hun- 
dred feet above the water, and commands a very 
fine view of the Capitol. At this place are care- 
fully preserved many rare and valuable pictures 
and other relics, descended from the ancestors of 
Mr. Custis, and some of them once in the posses- 
sion of Gen. Washington : for example, the Mount 
Yernon Plate, and the Bed and Bedstead of Wash- 
ington on which he expired. Among the pictures 
are portraits by Yandyke, Kneller, Stuart, and 
Trumbull, which are alone worth a pilgrimage to 
the place, where the accomplished proprietor is 
always happy to see his friends, who annually 
pay him their respects by thousands. When 
General La Fayette made his last visit to this 
country he was a frequent guest at Arlington 
House, and he pronounced the view which the 
front porch commands, one of the most beautiful 
he had ever seen ; and in a conversation on the 
surrounding woods that he had with Mrs. Custis, 

112 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 113 

on one occasion, be is reported to have made this 
remark — " KecoUect, my dear, how much easier 
it is to cut a tree down,. than to make one grow." 
On the Arlington estate, near the Potomac 
river and at the foot of a massive old oak is the 
Custis Spring, a spot resorted to by thousands 
during the summer months. Small houses have 
been erected by the liberal proprietor, for the 
benefit of visitors, and being a cold water man, he 
supplies all who call there on sultry days with an 
abundance of ice. And in this connection it may 
not be deemed out of place to mention the fact 
that for many years past, Mr. Custis has been in 
the habit of printing in the National Intelligencer, 
on the anniversary of General "Washington's birth 
day, a chapter of personal reminiscences respect- 
ing the illustrious chief. 



ALEXANDRIA. 

Although no longer within the District of 
Columbia, yet this City is deserving of a passing 
notice on account of its venerable age and its 
attractions as a commercial town. It is on the 
southern bank of the Potomac, about six miles 
below Washington, and is accessible both by 
steamboats and omnibuses. Like its rival in 
commerce, Georgetown, it can look back upon 
the vicissitudes of over one hundred years. That 
it was early a place of some note, is shown by 
the fact, that five Colonial Governors met here 
by appointment in 1775, to take measures with 
General Braddock respecting his expedition to 
the "West, and the said expedition started from 
this place. But the reminiscences which the peo- 
ple of Alexandria mostly cherish are those which 
associate their town with the domestic attachments 
and habits of General Washington, in whose let- 
ters may be found a number of kindly allusions 
to his friends residing in this town. His friendly 
interest was manifested on various occasions, and 
especially so by bequeathing to the inhabitants a 
legacy of £1,000 for a free Public School. The 
stranger in Alexandria is still pointed to the 
114 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 115 

Church of which he was a Vestryman, to the 
pew which he customarily occupied, and many 
striking memorials of his life are preserved with 
care. 

In the neighborhood of this City is the Theo- 
logical Seminary of the Episcopal Church of Vir- 
ginia, with a number of very able and distin- 
guished Professors. 

It is also supplied with the somewhat peculiar 
attraction for a southern City, of a Museum. It 
comprises many personal relics of General "Wash- 
ington, and also a large and valuable collection 
of specimens in Natural History. Its other at- 
tractions are interesting but not especially peculiar. 



MOUNT VEENON. 

Of all the spots associated with the National 
Metropolis, Mount Vernon is beyond all question 
the most interesting and attractive. It is situated 
on the southern branch of the Potomac, fifteen 
miles from Washington and eight from Alexan- 
dria. Heretofore the most usual mode of visit- 
ing it has been by Steamboat to Alexandria and 
the balance of the way by carriage, but within 
the past year a Steamboat line has been established 
directly to the spot itself. The entire plantation 
contains several hundred acres of land ; and the 
mansion is of wood, two stories high, ninety-six 
feet in length, and with a portico extending the 
entire length. The Central part of the house 
was built by Lawrence Washington, brother to 
the General, but the wings were added by the 
General himself, and the whole named by him 
after the famous Admiral Vernon ^ under whom 
Lawrence Washington had served. It occupies 
an elevated position from which may be seen a 
reach of some twenty or thirty miles of the noble 
Potomac, extending both to the eastward and to 
the westward. The present proprietor of the 
place is Mr. John Augustine Washington. The 
116 



HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 117 

trees wliicli surround the house are quite nume- 
rous, and those which are known to have been 
phanted by Greneral Washington have been care- 
fully preserved, and are objects of great interest 
to the visitors. The Library room of the man- 
sion remains very much as when occupied by the 
Father of his Country. Beautiful walks are spread 
out in every direction, but terminate at a summer 
house which commands a charming prospect of 
the neighboring river. On a hill side some two 
hundred yards west of the summer house, and 
thirty yards from the mansion itself, is situated 
the vault where repose the remains of Washing- 
ton. The lid of his Sarcophagus is wrought with 
the arms of his Country, and his only epitaph his 
name ;-— and what an epitaph is that ? By his 
side in a corresponding tomb are the ashes of 
"Martha, consort of Washington." When La 
Fayette the noble and well tried friend of Wash- 
ington was in this country in 1825, he visited the 
tomb, descended alone into the vault and was 
melted to tears, and as he was about to depart, 
Mr. Custis who had accompanied him to the spot 
presented him with a ring containing some of the 
hair of his illustrious friend. La Fayette exam- 
ined the mansion with great interest, and among 
the relics of the place, discovered the Key of the 



118 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. 

Bastile, which had been sent to "Washington many 
years before by himself, and which continues to 
be one of the attractions of the place. 

To one accustomed to the plantation system and 
habits of Virginia, this estate may have much in 
common with others ; but to persons unused to 
this economy, the whole is new and striking. Of 
things peculiar to the place, are a low rampart of 
brick, now partly overgrown, which Washington 
had built around the front of the house, and an 
under ground passage leading from the bottom of 
a dry well, and coming out by the river side at 
the foot of the mount. On the west side of the 
house are two gardens, a greenhouse, and — the 
usual accompaniments of a plantation — seed-houses, 
tool-houses, and cottages for the negroes — things 
possessing no particular interest, except because 
they were standing during Washington's life, and 
were objects of his frequent attention. Along 
the walls of the room hang engravings, which 
are mostly battle or hunting pieces. Among 
them will be noticed a print of Bunker Hill, but 
none of any battle in which Washington himself 
was engaged. The north room was built by 
Washington for a dining room, and for the meet-, 
ing of his friends and political visitors. The fur- 
niture of the room is just as when he left it, and 



HAND-BOOK OP WASHINGTON. 119 

leads one back to the days wlien tliere were met 
within these walls the great men of that genera- 
tion who carried the States through the Eevolu- 
tion, laid the foundations of the government, and 
administered it in its purer days. The rooms of 
the house are spacious, and there is something of 
elegance in their arrangement ; yet the whole is 
marked by great simplicity. All the regard one 
could wish, seems to have been shown to the sa- 
credness of these public relics, and all things have 
been kept very nearly as Washington left them. 
Money made in the stocks can purchase the bedi- 
zenry of our city drawing-rooms ; but these ele- 
vating associations, which no gold can buy, no 
popular favor win, which can only be inherited, 
these are the heir-looms, the traditionary titles 
and pensions, inalienable, not conferred, -which a 
republic allows to the descendants of her great 
servants. 



BLADENSBUKG 

Is a village wbich is famous for its warlike as- 
sociations, lying about five miles eastward of the 
Capitol. It was formerly a place of some com- 
mercial importance, but its present attractions are 
the fields where a "famous victory" was won, or 
rather a bloody battle fought, and the celebrated 
Duelling Ground, where Decatur and many other 
smaller men have fallen to satisfy a sanguinary 
Code of Honor. 



120 



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